CVE-2025-3455 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the 1 Click WordPress Migration Plugin – 100% FREE for a limited time, a WordPress plugin designed to facilitate site migration. The vulnerability arises from a missing capability check in the 'start_restore' function across all versions up to and including 2.2. This flaw allows authenticated attackers with as low as Subscriber-level privileges to upload arbitrary files to the server hosting the WordPress site. The core issue is classified under CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type, which means the plugin does not properly restrict or validate the types of files that can be uploaded during the restore process. Consequently, attackers can upload malicious files, such as web shells or scripts, potentially leading to remote code execution (RCE). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and no user interaction required. The vulnerability scope is unchanged, meaning the exploit affects the vulnerable component without extending beyond it. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the ease of exploitation and the potential for severe impact make this a critical concern for WordPress sites using this plugin. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass normal WordPress permission checks, leveraging the plugin's restore functionality to gain unauthorized file upload capabilities. This can lead to full site compromise, data theft, defacement, or use of the server as a pivot point for further attacks.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those relying on WordPress for their web presence and using the affected plugin. The ability for low-privilege users to upload arbitrary files can lead to complete site takeover, data breaches involving personal or sensitive information, and disruption of services. Given the widespread use of WordPress in Europe across various sectors including government, education, and commerce, exploitation could result in reputational damage, regulatory penalties under GDPR for data breaches, and operational downtime. Attackers could leverage compromised sites to distribute malware or conduct phishing campaigns targeting European users. The high severity and ease of exploitation mean that even smaller organizations with limited security resources are at risk. Additionally, the lack of a patch at the time of disclosure increases the window of exposure. Organizations with multi-user WordPress environments where users have Subscriber or higher roles are particularly vulnerable, as attackers only need low-level authenticated access to exploit this flaw.

Immediate mitigation steps include removing or disabling the 1 Click WordPress Migration Plugin until a patch is released. Organizations should audit user roles and permissions to ensure that only trusted users have Subscriber-level or higher access. Implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block suspicious file uploads or access to the plugin's restore functionality can provide temporary protection. Monitoring server logs for unusual file upload activity or unexpected file types is critical. Restricting file system permissions to limit execution of uploaded files can reduce the impact of a successful upload. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems (IDS) to identify exploitation attempts. Once a patch becomes available, prompt application of updates is essential. Additionally, adopting a principle of least privilege for WordPress user roles and enforcing strong authentication mechanisms can reduce the risk of exploitation. Regular backups and incident response plans should be reviewed and tested to prepare for potential compromise scenarios.