CVE-2025-12979 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) found in the Welcart e-Commerce plugin for WordPress, a popular e-commerce solution primarily used in Japan but also present in other markets including Europe. The issue arises because the plugin fails to perform proper capability checks on the 'usces_export' action, which is responsible for exporting sensitive store data. This missing authorization allows unauthenticated attackers to remotely invoke this action and extract sensitive information such as configured payment credentials (including PayPal API secrets), business contact details, mail templates, and other operational settings related to the store. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 2.11.24. According to the CVSS v3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N), the attack can be performed remotely without any privileges or user interaction, with low attack complexity. The impact is primarily on confidentiality, as attackers can access sensitive data but cannot modify or disrupt availability. No patches or known exploits are currently reported, but the exposure of payment credentials could lead to financial fraud or further targeted attacks. The plugin's widespread use in WordPress e-commerce sites means that many online stores could be vulnerable if they have not updated or applied mitigations. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on November 13, 2025, by Wordfence, emphasizing the need for immediate attention from site administrators.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability is significant in terms of confidentiality breaches. Exposure of payment credentials such as PayPal API secrets can lead to unauthorized financial transactions, fraud, and potential regulatory penalties under GDPR due to inadequate protection of personal and payment data. Business contact details and mail templates exposure can facilitate phishing attacks and social engineering. Although the vulnerability does not allow modification or denial of service, the leakage of sensitive operational data can undermine customer trust and damage brand reputation. E-commerce businesses relying on Welcart are at risk of financial loss and compliance violations. The ease of exploitation (no authentication or user interaction required) increases the likelihood of automated scanning and exploitation attempts, especially if the vulnerability becomes widely known. Organizations with high volumes of online transactions or those handling sensitive customer data are particularly vulnerable. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future attacks.

1. Immediately update the Welcart e-Commerce plugin to a version that addresses this vulnerability once available. 2. If no patch is available, restrict access to the 'usces_export' action by implementing server-side access controls such as IP whitelisting or web application firewall (WAF) rules that block unauthorized requests to this endpoint. 3. Modify the plugin code to add proper capability checks on the 'usces_export' action, ensuring only authorized users can execute it. 4. Monitor web server and application logs for unusual or repeated access attempts to the export functionality. 5. Rotate and revoke exposed payment credentials, such as PayPal API secrets, to prevent misuse. 6. Conduct a security audit of all e-commerce related plugins and configurations to identify other potential authorization weaknesses. 7. Educate site administrators on the importance of applying security updates promptly and restricting access to sensitive functions. 8. Employ multi-factor authentication and least privilege principles for administrative accounts to reduce risk of further compromise.