CVE-2025-22726 is a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability found in the nK Themes Helper plugin, a component used in WordPress themes developed by _nK. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.7.9. SSRF vulnerabilities allow attackers to trick the server into making HTTP requests to arbitrary locations, including internal network resources that are otherwise inaccessible externally. This can lead to unauthorized information disclosure, internal network scanning, and potentially further exploitation of internal services. The vulnerability requires no authentication or user interaction, making it highly exploitable remotely. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.1 indicates a critical severity, with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. The impact primarily affects confidentiality and integrity, as attackers can access sensitive internal endpoints or manipulate server-side requests. Although no public exploits are currently known, the nature of SSRF vulnerabilities and the widespread use of WordPress themes make this a significant threat. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate risk mitigation through network controls and monitoring. This vulnerability underscores the importance of validating and sanitizing all user-controlled inputs that influence server-side requests.

For European organizations, exploitation of CVE-2025-22726 could lead to unauthorized access to internal systems and sensitive data, including internal APIs, databases, or cloud metadata services. This could result in data breaches, intellectual property theft, or lateral movement within corporate networks. The integrity of web applications could be compromised if attackers manipulate server requests to inject malicious payloads or alter data flows. The availability impact is minimal but could arise indirectly if internal systems are overwhelmed or misused. Organizations relying on nK Themes Helper for their WordPress sites, especially those hosting sensitive or regulated data, face increased risk of compliance violations under GDPR due to potential data exposure. The vulnerability's ease of exploitation and lack of required privileges heighten the threat landscape, making it a priority for security teams to address. Additionally, attackers could leverage SSRF to bypass firewalls and access cloud infrastructure metadata, leading to further compromise.

1. Immediately monitor for updates or patches from the _nK vendor and apply them as soon as they become available. 2. Until a patch is released, implement strict input validation and sanitization on any parameters that influence server-side requests within the nK Themes Helper plugin. 3. Employ network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict outbound HTTP requests from web servers to only trusted destinations, preventing SSRF exploitation from reaching internal resources. 4. Use web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious SSRF patterns or unusual outbound request behaviors. 5. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on SSRF vectors in web applications using nK Themes Helper. 6. Monitor logs for anomalous outbound connections or repeated request attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts. 7. Educate development and operations teams about SSRF risks and secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.