CVE-2025-12881 is an insecure direct object reference (IDOR) vulnerability classified under CWE-639, found in the Return Refund and Exchange For WooCommerce plugin for WordPress. The vulnerability exists in the wps_rma_fetch_order_msgs() function, which handles fetching order messages related to returns, refunds, and exchanges. The function fails to properly validate a user-controlled key parameter, allowing authenticated users with Subscriber-level access or higher to bypass authorization checks and access order messages belonging to other users. This flaw enables attackers to read sensitive information about other customers' orders, potentially exposing personal data or transaction details. The vulnerability affects all plugin versions up to and including 4.5.5. Exploitation requires authentication but no additional user interaction, and the attack vector is network-based. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.4 (medium severity), reflecting low complexity and partial confidentiality and integrity impact, but no availability impact. No patches were linked at the time of disclosure, and no active exploitation has been reported. This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust access control and input validation in e-commerce plugins, especially those handling customer data.

For European organizations operating WooCommerce stores with the vulnerable Return Refund and Exchange plugin, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized disclosure of customer order messages. Such data leakage can lead to privacy violations under GDPR, potentially resulting in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Competitors or malicious actors could gain insights into customer behavior, order details, or dispute resolutions. Although the vulnerability does not allow data modification or service disruption, the confidentiality breach alone is significant for businesses handling sensitive customer information. Small and medium enterprises using WooCommerce extensively in Europe may be particularly vulnerable if they have not restricted subscriber roles or applied security best practices. The impact is heightened in sectors with strict data protection requirements, such as retail, healthcare, or financial services. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain to escalate privileges or conduct social engineering.

1. Monitor the vendor's official channels for patches addressing CVE-2025-12881 and apply updates promptly once available. 2. In the interim, restrict the assignment of Subscriber-level roles to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access. 3. Implement additional access control mechanisms at the WordPress or server level to limit access to order-related endpoints. 4. Conduct regular audits of user roles and permissions to ensure least privilege principles are enforced. 5. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the vulnerable function. 6. Review and sanitize all user inputs in custom code or plugins to prevent similar authorization bypass issues. 7. Educate administrators and developers on secure coding practices, especially regarding IDOR vulnerabilities. 8. Consider isolating sensitive e-commerce data and logs to reduce exposure in case of compromise. 9. Enable detailed logging and monitoring to detect unusual access patterns to order messages. 10. Prepare an incident response plan to address potential data disclosures swiftly.