CVE-2025-14842 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type) found in the WordPress plugin 'Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload for Contact Form 7' by glenwpcoder. This plugin, widely used to enhance file upload capabilities in Contact Form 7 forms, fails to properly restrict the upload of certain dangerous file types, specifically .phar and .svg files. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.3.9.2. Attackers can exploit this flaw without authentication by uploading malicious .phar files containing PHP code or .svg files containing JavaScript payloads. If the web server is configured to treat .phar files as executable PHP, this can lead to remote code execution (RCE), allowing attackers to run arbitrary code on the server, potentially compromising the entire system. The upload of malicious .svg files can lead to stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, which can be triggered when other users view the infected content, leading to session hijacking, defacement, or further exploitation. The vulnerability requires no privileges to exploit, but user interaction is needed to trigger the XSS. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.1, indicating medium severity, with attack vector network, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and a scope change. No official patches or fixes have been published yet, and no known exploits are reported in the wild. The vulnerability highlights the risks of insufficient file type validation in web application plugins, especially those handling file uploads.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk especially to those running WordPress sites with the affected plugin installed. Remote code execution via .phar files can lead to full server compromise, data breaches, defacement, or use of the server as a pivot point for further attacks. Stored XSS via .svg files can compromise user sessions, steal credentials, or deliver malware to site visitors. Public sector websites, e-commerce platforms, and organizations handling sensitive user data are particularly at risk due to the potential for data theft and reputational damage. The ease of exploitation (no authentication required) increases the threat level, although the need for user interaction for XSS somewhat limits impact. The lack of patches means organizations must act proactively to mitigate risk. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks or automated scanning campaigns, increasing exposure. The scope includes all websites using this plugin, which may be substantial given WordPress's popularity in Europe.

Organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the 'Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload for Contact Form 7' plugin. Until a patch is released, administrators should disable or remove the plugin to eliminate the vulnerability. If removal is not feasible, implement strict server-side file type validation to block uploads of .phar and .svg files. Configure the web server to never execute .phar files as PHP, for example by disabling PHP execution in upload directories or using .htaccess rules. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to mitigate the impact of potential XSS attacks. Monitor web server logs for suspicious upload attempts or access to .phar files. Educate site administrators and users about the risk of uploading untrusted files. Regularly update WordPress and plugins once patches become available. Consider using web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block malicious file uploads related to this vulnerability. Finally, conduct penetration testing to verify the effectiveness of mitigations.