CVE-2025-13494 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor) affecting the SSP Debug plugin for WordPress developed by jimmyredline80. The issue arises because the plugin stores PHP error logs in a fixed, publicly accessible directory (wp-content/uploads/ssp-debug/ssp-debug.log) without implementing any form of access control or authentication. These logs contain sensitive debugging information such as full URLs accessed, client IP addresses, User-Agent strings, WordPress user IDs, and internal filesystem paths. Since the log file location is predictable and accessible via the web, any unauthenticated attacker can retrieve this information remotely without any user interaction. This exposure can facilitate reconnaissance activities, enabling attackers to gather intelligence about the target environment, identify potential vulnerabilities, and craft more effective attacks. The vulnerability affects all versions of the SSP Debug plugin up to and including 1.0.0. There are no known exploits currently in the wild, but the ease of access and lack of authentication requirements make exploitation straightforward. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.3, indicating a medium severity primarily due to the confidentiality impact. The vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability, and no privileges or user interaction are required for exploitation. The issue was publicly disclosed on December 5, 2025, with no patch currently available, emphasizing the need for immediate mitigation steps by affected users.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily through the exposure of sensitive information that can be leveraged for further attacks. The disclosed data, including internal URLs, IP addresses, user identifiers, and filesystem paths, can aid attackers in mapping the network, identifying user accounts, and uncovering additional vulnerabilities or misconfigurations. This can lead to targeted phishing, credential stuffing, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities. Organizations handling sensitive or regulated data may face compliance risks under GDPR due to unauthorized exposure of personal data such as IP addresses and user identifiers. The vulnerability does not directly compromise system integrity or availability but increases the attack surface and can facilitate more severe attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities. Websites running WordPress with the SSP Debug plugin enabled in production environments are particularly at risk. The impact is amplified in sectors with high-value targets such as finance, healthcare, and government services prevalent in Europe. The lack of authentication and user interaction requirements means attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely and at scale, increasing the likelihood of reconnaissance and subsequent attacks.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the SSP Debug plugin, especially versions up to 1.0.0. If detected, disable the plugin or at minimum disable debug logging to prevent generation of sensitive log files. Restrict access to the wp-content/uploads/ssp-debug/ directory by implementing web server access controls such as .htaccess rules for Apache or location blocks for Nginx to deny external HTTP requests to the log files. Employ security plugins or web application firewalls (WAFs) to monitor and block unauthorized access attempts to sensitive files. Regularly review and sanitize debug logs to avoid storing sensitive information in publicly accessible locations. Monitor web server logs for suspicious access patterns targeting the ssp-debug.log file. Stay alert for official patches or updates from the plugin vendor and apply them promptly once available. Additionally, consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) and other hardening measures to reduce the risk of information leakage. For organizations with strict compliance requirements, conduct a data protection impact assessment (DPIA) to evaluate and document the risk posed by this vulnerability.