CVE-2025-3422 is a code injection vulnerability classified under CWE-94 found in the Everest Forms plugin for WordPress, which is widely used for creating contact forms, quizzes, surveys, newsletters, and payment forms. The vulnerability arises because the plugin improperly validates input before executing the WordPress do_shortcode function, allowing arbitrary shortcode execution. This flaw affects all plugin versions up to and including 3.1.1. An attacker with at least Subscriber-level privileges can exploit this vulnerability to inject and execute arbitrary shortcodes, which may lead to unauthorized actions such as data leakage or manipulation within the WordPress environment. The attack vector is network-based (remote), requires low attack complexity, and no user interaction is needed. The scope is unchanged, meaning the impact is limited to the vulnerable component and its privileges. The confidentiality and integrity impacts are low, while availability is unaffected. No known public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability's presence in a popular WordPress plugin makes it a significant concern. The plugin's widespread use in websites globally increases the potential attack surface. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on April 11, 2025, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.4, indicating a medium severity level.

The vulnerability allows authenticated users with minimal privileges (Subscriber-level) to execute arbitrary shortcodes, which can lead to unauthorized code execution within the WordPress site context. This can compromise the confidentiality of sensitive data by exposing information through malicious shortcode payloads or integrity by altering site content or configurations. Although availability is not directly impacted, the injected code could be used to facilitate further attacks that degrade service or escalate privileges. Organizations relying on Everest Forms for critical web forms risk data breaches, defacement, or unauthorized access if this vulnerability is exploited. The ease of exploitation by low-privileged users increases the threat, especially in environments with many registered users or where user accounts are not tightly controlled. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future attacks. The impact is global due to WordPress's extensive market share, affecting any organization using the vulnerable plugin version.

Organizations should immediately update the Everest Forms plugin to a version that addresses this vulnerability once available. Until a patch is released, administrators should restrict Subscriber-level user capabilities to prevent shortcode injection, such as disabling shortcode execution for low-privilege users or limiting form creation and editing permissions. Employing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block suspicious shortcode patterns can provide temporary protection. Regularly audit user roles and permissions to minimize the number of users with elevated access. Monitoring logs for unusual shortcode execution or form submissions can help detect exploitation attempts early. Additionally, consider isolating WordPress instances and backing up site data frequently to enable quick recovery if compromise occurs. Educate site administrators about the risks of installing untrusted plugins or granting excessive privileges to users.