CVE-2025-1528 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) found in the Search & Filter Pro plugin for WordPress, a widely used plugin that enhances search and filtering capabilities on WordPress sites. The vulnerability arises because the 'get_meta_values' function lacks proper capability checks, meaning it does not verify whether the requesting user has the appropriate permissions to access certain post meta data. As a result, any authenticated user with Subscriber-level privileges or higher can exploit this flaw to retrieve arbitrary post meta values, which may include sensitive or confidential information stored as metadata. This issue affects all versions of the plugin up to and including version 2.5.19. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without user interaction, requiring only low-level authenticated access (Subscriber or above). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.3, reflecting a medium severity due to the limited impact on confidentiality, no impact on integrity or availability, and the requirement for authentication. No patches or exploit code are currently publicly available, and no known active exploitation has been reported. However, the exposure of sensitive metadata could lead to information disclosure risks, especially if the metadata contains private or security-related information. The vulnerability underscores the importance of implementing proper authorization checks in plugin functions that expose data endpoints.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-1528 is unauthorized disclosure of post meta data on WordPress sites using the Search & Filter Pro plugin. This can lead to leakage of sensitive information such as user data, configuration details, or other confidential metadata stored within posts. While the vulnerability does not allow modification or deletion of data, the exposure of sensitive metadata can facilitate further attacks like social engineering, targeted phishing, or reconnaissance for privilege escalation. Organizations relying on WordPress for content management, e-commerce, or customer engagement may face reputational damage and compliance risks if sensitive data is exposed. Since the exploit requires authenticated access at Subscriber level or above, attackers would need to compromise or register low-privilege accounts first, which is often feasible on sites allowing user registrations. The vulnerability does not affect system availability or integrity, limiting its impact to confidentiality breaches. However, the widespread use of WordPress and this plugin means a large number of sites could be affected globally, increasing the risk surface for data leakage incidents.

To mitigate CVE-2025-1528, organizations should first check if an updated version of the Search & Filter Pro plugin is available that addresses the missing authorization check and apply it promptly. If no patch is available, administrators should consider temporarily disabling the plugin or restricting its use to trusted users only. Implementing strict user registration controls and monitoring for suspicious subscriber account activity can reduce the risk of exploitation. Additionally, site owners can use web application firewalls (WAFs) to detect and block unauthorized attempts to access the vulnerable function. Reviewing and minimizing the amount of sensitive data stored in post meta fields can reduce potential exposure. Developers maintaining custom code interacting with this plugin should add explicit capability checks around calls to 'get_meta_values'. Regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on plugin vulnerabilities are recommended to identify and remediate similar authorization issues proactively.