The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-13642 affects the ProfilePress WordPress plugin, specifically the Paid Membership Plugin, Ecommerce, User Registration Form, Login Form, User Profile & Restrict Content components. The issue arises from improper input sanitization of the 'type' parameter in the form preview functionality, which is accessible via the 'pp_preview_form' endpoint. Authenticated users with Subscriber-level privileges or higher can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary shortcodes. Shortcodes in WordPress are snippets that can execute PHP code or embed content, so arbitrary shortcode execution effectively allows code injection within the context of the WordPress site. This can lead to unauthorized actions such as data leakage, modification of site content, or privilege escalation if chained with other vulnerabilities. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-94, indicating improper control over code generation. The CVSS v3.1 score is 5.4 (medium), reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, requiring privileges but no user interaction, and limited confidentiality and integrity impacts without affecting availability. No patches or known exploits are currently reported, but the widespread use of ProfilePress in membership and ecommerce sites increases the risk. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could manipulate site behavior, access sensitive user data, or alter membership controls, impacting business operations and user trust.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for those relying on WordPress sites for ecommerce, membership management, or user registration. Unauthorized shortcode execution can lead to data confidentiality breaches, such as exposure of user information or membership details. Integrity could be compromised by unauthorized content changes or manipulation of user privileges, potentially enabling further attacks or fraud. Although availability is not directly impacted, the reputational damage and potential regulatory consequences under GDPR for data breaches could be severe. Organizations in sectors like retail, education, and membership-based services are particularly at risk. The requirement for authenticated access reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, as subscriber-level accounts are common and may be compromised via phishing or credential stuffing. The lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation before widespread exploitation occurs.

European organizations should immediately verify if their WordPress installations use the ProfilePress plugin, particularly versions up to 4.16.7. Since no official patch links are provided, organizations should monitor vendor announcements for updates and apply patches promptly once available. In the interim, restrict subscriber-level account creation and monitor for suspicious activity on the 'pp_preview_form' endpoint. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block unusual shortcode patterns or requests targeting the vulnerable parameter. Conduct regular audits of user privileges to ensure minimal necessary access and enforce strong authentication mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication, to reduce the risk of account compromise. Additionally, consider disabling or limiting the form preview functionality if not essential. Employ security plugins that can detect and prevent shortcode abuse and maintain comprehensive logging to facilitate incident response. Finally, educate users about phishing risks to prevent credential theft that could enable exploitation.