CVE-2025-4593 is a vulnerability identified in the WordPress plugin 'WP Register Profile With Shortcode' developed by avimegladon. This plugin, up to and including version 3.6.2, contains a sensitive information exposure flaw classified under CWE-200. The vulnerability arises from the 'rp_user_data' shortcode functionality, which improperly restricts access to user meta data. Specifically, authenticated users with Contributor-level privileges or higher can exploit this flaw to retrieve sensitive information such as hashed passwords, usernames, and other user meta data that should remain confidential. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond authentication and can be exploited remotely over the network (AV:N). The attack complexity is low (AC:L), and the attacker must have at least Contributor-level privileges (PR:L). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality (C:H) but does not affect integrity or availability. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. This vulnerability poses a significant risk because it allows lateral privilege escalation within WordPress sites by exposing sensitive user data that could be used for further attacks such as credential stuffing or privilege escalation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user information within WordPress-based websites that utilize the affected plugin. Exposure of hashed passwords and usernames can facilitate credential cracking attempts, potentially leading to account takeover and unauthorized access to protected resources. This is particularly concerning for organizations handling personal data under GDPR, as such a breach could result in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Additionally, the ability for contributors (a relatively low privilege role) to access sensitive data increases the risk from insider threats or compromised contributor accounts. The vulnerability does not directly impact system availability or integrity but compromises confidentiality, which is critical for maintaining trust and compliance in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government services prevalent in Europe.

1. Immediate mitigation involves restricting Contributor-level users from accessing the 'rp_user_data' shortcode or disabling the shortcode functionality until a patch is available. 2. Administrators should audit user roles and permissions to ensure that only trusted users have Contributor or higher access. 3. Monitor WordPress logs for unusual access patterns or attempts to invoke the vulnerable shortcode. 4. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the shortcode endpoint. 5. Regularly update the plugin once the vendor releases a patch addressing this vulnerability. 6. Consider replacing the plugin with alternative solutions that follow secure coding practices and have a strong security track record. 7. Educate site administrators and contributors about the risks of privilege misuse and enforce strong authentication mechanisms such as MFA to reduce the risk of compromised accounts.