CVE-2025-2485 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the WordPress plugin 'Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload for Contact Form 7' developed by glenwpcoder. The vulnerability arises from unsafe deserialization of untrusted data (CWE-502) in the 'dnd_upload_cf7_upload' function, which processes user-supplied input. Specifically, the plugin deserializes PHP objects from potentially malicious PHAR files uploaded via the drag-and-drop interface. This PHP Object Injection vulnerability can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers if a vulnerable version (up to and including 1.3.8.7) of the plugin is installed alongside the Flamingo plugin, which must be active for exploitation to succeed. However, the vulnerability alone does not guarantee exploitation; it requires the presence of a gadget chain (POP chain) in another plugin or theme installed on the WordPress site. If such a POP chain exists, attackers could leverage it to execute arbitrary code, delete files, or exfiltrate sensitive data, severely compromising the affected system. The vulnerability was partially patched in version 1.3.8.8, but no complete fix is indicated in the provided data. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.5 (High), reflecting the network attack vector, no privileges required, but user interaction needed, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No known exploits are currently observed in the wild. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because WordPress is widely used, and Contact Form 7 is a popular plugin, often combined with other plugins and themes that may contain exploitable POP chains, increasing the attack surface.

For European organizations using WordPress websites with the vulnerable Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload for Contact Form 7 plugin, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, data breaches, or site defacement, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of web assets. This is especially critical for organizations handling sensitive customer data or providing essential services online. The requirement for the Flamingo plugin and a POP chain in other plugins/themes means that many WordPress sites with complex plugin ecosystems are at risk. Given the popularity of Contact Form 7 in Europe and the common use of multiple plugins, the potential for chained exploitation is non-trivial. Compromised websites could be leveraged for further attacks such as phishing, malware distribution, or lateral movement within corporate networks. Additionally, reputational damage and regulatory consequences under GDPR could arise from data exposure or service disruption.

1. Immediate upgrade to version 1.3.8.8 or later of the Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload for Contact Form 7 plugin, ensuring the partial patch is applied. 2. Audit and minimize installed plugins and themes to reduce the presence of gadget chains (POP chains) that enable PHP Object Injection exploitation. 3. Disable or remove the Flamingo plugin if not essential, as it is a prerequisite for exploitation. 4. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious PHAR file uploads or deserialization attempts targeting the vulnerable endpoint. 5. Restrict file upload types and validate file contents rigorously on the server side to prevent malicious payloads. 6. Monitor web server and application logs for unusual activity related to file uploads or deserialization errors. 7. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on plugin interactions and deserialization vulnerabilities. 8. Educate site administrators about the risks of installing multiple plugins without security vetting, emphasizing the dangers of gadget chains.