CVE-2025-13529 is a vulnerability identified in the Unify plugin for WordPress, developed by codeclouds. The flaw arises due to a missing capability check on the 'init' action hook, which is triggered early during WordPress initialization. This missing authorization allows unauthenticated attackers to invoke the 'unify_plugin_downgrade' parameter, resulting in the deletion of specific plugin options without any privilege verification. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 3.4.9. Because the attack vector is network accessible and requires no authentication or user interaction, it is relatively easy to exploit remotely. The impact is limited to the integrity of the plugin’s configuration data; attackers cannot directly compromise confidentiality or availability. However, unauthorized modification of plugin options could disrupt site functionality, degrade user experience, or serve as a stepping stone for further exploitation. No patches or exploit code are currently publicly available, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.3, reflecting a medium severity level due to the ease of exploitation but limited impact scope. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization), emphasizing the lack of proper permission checks before performing sensitive actions.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to websites using the Unify WordPress plugin, which may include corporate sites, e-commerce platforms, and media outlets. Unauthorized deletion of plugin options can lead to degraded site functionality, potential downtime, or misconfiguration that could expose the site to additional risks. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise sensitive data confidentiality or cause denial of service, the integrity impact could disrupt business operations and damage reputation. Organizations relying on WordPress for critical web presence should be aware that attackers could exploit this flaw to alter site behavior or disable security-related plugin features. The ease of exploitation without authentication increases the threat level, especially for sites exposed to the public internet. Given the widespread use of WordPress across Europe, the vulnerability could affect a significant number of sites if not addressed promptly.

1. Monitor the vendor’s official channels for patches or updates addressing CVE-2025-13529 and apply them immediately upon release. 2. In the absence of a patch, implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block or filter requests containing the 'unify_plugin_downgrade' parameter. 3. Restrict access to WordPress administrative endpoints by IP whitelisting or VPN access to reduce exposure to unauthenticated requests. 4. Regularly audit plugin configurations and backups to quickly detect and restore any unauthorized changes. 5. Employ security plugins that can detect and alert on suspicious parameter usage or unauthorized configuration changes. 6. Educate site administrators about the vulnerability and encourage prompt reporting of unusual site behavior. 7. Consider disabling or replacing the Unify plugin with alternatives if immediate patching is not feasible and the plugin is critical to site functionality.