CVE-2025-1304 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the NewsBlogger theme developed by spicethemes for WordPress. The vulnerability arises from a missing authorization check in the function newsblogger_install_and_activate_plugin(), present in all versions up to and including 0.2.5.1. This flaw allows authenticated users with subscriber-level privileges or higher to upload arbitrary files to the web server hosting the affected WordPress site. Since subscriber-level access is typically granted to users with minimal permissions, this vulnerability significantly lowers the bar for exploitation. The arbitrary file upload capability can be leveraged to place malicious scripts or web shells on the server, potentially enabling remote code execution (RCE). The CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with the ease of exploitation (network vector, low attack complexity, and no user interaction required). The vulnerability does not require elevated privileges beyond subscriber-level access, and no user interaction is needed, making it particularly dangerous. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability’s nature and severity suggest it is likely to be targeted soon. The absence of a patch link indicates that a fix may not yet be available, emphasizing the urgency for mitigation. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization), highlighting the failure to properly verify user capabilities before allowing sensitive operations such as plugin installation and activation via the vulnerable function.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those relying on WordPress sites using the NewsBlogger theme. Successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of the affected web server, resulting in data breaches, defacement, or use of the server as a pivot point for further attacks within the corporate network. Confidential information stored or processed by the website can be exfiltrated, and integrity of website content can be undermined, damaging brand reputation and trust. Availability may also be impacted if attackers deploy ransomware or destructive payloads. Given the widespread use of WordPress across European businesses, including SMEs and media outlets, the threat surface is considerable. Organizations in sectors such as media, publishing, education, and e-commerce are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on WordPress themes and plugins. The ease of exploitation by low-privilege users means insider threats or compromised subscriber accounts can be leveraged to launch attacks. Additionally, the lack of a patch increases exposure time, raising the likelihood of exploitation. Regulatory implications under GDPR may arise if personal data is compromised, leading to potential fines and legal consequences.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting subscriber-level user capabilities to the minimum necessary and auditing existing subscriber accounts for suspicious activity or unauthorized creation. 2. Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block attempts to invoke the vulnerable function or upload suspicious files, focusing on unusual POST requests targeting plugin installation endpoints. 3. Disable or remove the NewsBlogger theme if it is not actively used or replace it with a secure, actively maintained alternative. 4. Monitor server logs for anomalous file uploads or execution of unknown scripts, and conduct regular integrity checks on web directories. 5. Employ file upload restrictions at the server level, such as limiting allowed file types and scanning uploaded files with antivirus and malware detection tools. 6. Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all user accounts to reduce the risk of account compromise. 7. Stay informed on vendor updates and apply patches promptly once available. 8. Conduct user privilege reviews regularly to ensure no unnecessary permissions are granted. 9. Consider isolating WordPress instances in segmented network zones to limit lateral movement in case of compromise.