CVE-2025-13307 is a critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability found in the Ocean Modal Window WordPress plugin before version 2.3.3. The vulnerability stems from CWE-94, which involves improper control over code generation, specifically the use of PHP's eval function to execute modal display logic conditions. These conditions can be set by users with the edit_pages capability, typically Editors and Administrators, allowing them to define when modals appear on the site. Because the conditions are directly evaluated via eval on every page load, any malicious code injected into these conditions will be executed with the privileges of the web server user. This creates a severe security risk as it enables attackers with editor or admin access to execute arbitrary PHP code remotely, potentially leading to full site compromise, data theft, defacement, or pivoting to other internal systems. The vulnerability does not require external unauthenticated access but leverages existing user privileges, making insider threats or compromised accounts a primary attack vector. No official patch or CVSS score is available at the time of publication, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild. However, the presence of eval-based code injection in a widely used WordPress plugin is a significant concern. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to 2.3.3, and the plugin is popular among WordPress sites that use modal windows for user interaction. The technical details confirm the vulnerability was reserved in November 2025 and published in December 2025 by WPScan, a reputable WordPress vulnerability database. The absence of a patch link suggests that users should monitor for updates or consider temporary mitigations.

The impact of CVE-2025-13307 on European organizations can be substantial, especially for those relying on WordPress for their web presence, including e-commerce, media, and corporate websites. Successful exploitation allows attackers with editor or administrator privileges to execute arbitrary PHP code remotely, potentially leading to full site takeover. This compromises confidentiality by exposing sensitive data, integrity by allowing unauthorized content modification or malware injection, and availability by enabling site defacement or denial of service. Given that editors and administrators typically have broad access, the risk extends to credential theft, lateral movement within the hosting environment, and persistence mechanisms. For organizations in Europe, this could result in regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations), reputational damage, and financial losses due to downtime or data breaches. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require external unauthenticated access but depends on compromised or malicious privileged users, which is a realistic threat vector in insider attack scenarios or via phishing campaigns targeting privileged accounts. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not diminish the potential impact once exploited. The widespread use of WordPress in Europe, especially in countries with large digital economies, increases the likelihood of targeted attacks leveraging this vulnerability.

To mitigate CVE-2025-13307, European organizations should take immediate and specific actions beyond generic advice: 1) Monitor for and apply the official Ocean Modal Window plugin update to version 2.3.3 or later as soon as it is released. 2) Restrict the edit_pages capability strictly to trusted users; review and minimize the number of Editors and Administrators who can configure modal conditions. 3) Audit existing modal display conditions for suspicious or unexpected code snippets that might indicate exploitation attempts. 4) Implement application-level monitoring and logging to detect unusual eval executions or PHP errors related to modal logic. 5) Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious payloads targeting modal conditions. 6) Educate privileged users on phishing and social engineering risks to prevent credential compromise. 7) Consider temporarily disabling the Ocean Modal Window plugin if patching is delayed and the risk is deemed high. 8) Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on WordPress plugins and privilege escalation paths. These targeted mitigations will reduce the attack surface and limit the potential for exploitation.