CVE-2025-4665 affects the WordPress Contact Form 7 Database Addon CFDB7 plugin, specifically versions up to and including 1.3.2. The vulnerability is a pre-authentication SQL injection (CWE-89) that arises from insufficient validation of user-supplied input in the plugin’s endpoints. Attackers can send specially crafted payloads that manipulate backend SQL queries, allowing unauthorized access to or modification of the database. Beyond SQL injection, the flaw cascades into an insecure deserialization vulnerability (PHP Object Injection), where the attacker can inject arbitrary PHP objects. This can lead to remote code execution, privilege escalation, or full system compromise. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without authentication, requiring only crafted interaction with the vulnerable endpoint. The CVSS 3.1 score of 9.6 reflects the critical nature, with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and user interaction needed. The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that exploitation can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, making this a severe threat. No patches or known exploits are currently reported, but the plugin’s widespread use in WordPress sites makes this a significant concern for website operators and hosting providers.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a severe risk to websites and web applications using the Contact Form 7 Database Addon CFDB7 plugin. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized data access, data manipulation, and potentially full server compromise, impacting customer data confidentiality and business operations. The ability to execute arbitrary PHP objects can allow attackers to deploy backdoors, pivot within networks, or disrupt services, causing reputational damage and regulatory non-compliance under GDPR. Organizations relying on WordPress for customer interaction or data collection are particularly vulnerable. The critical severity and ease of exploitation without authentication increase the likelihood of targeted attacks or automated scanning campaigns. The impact extends to hosting providers and managed service providers supporting WordPress environments, potentially affecting multiple clients. Failure to address this vulnerability promptly could result in data breaches, service outages, and significant financial and legal consequences.

Immediate mitigation steps include disabling or removing the vulnerable CFDB7 plugin if patching is not yet available. Organizations should monitor official plugin repositories and security advisories for patches and apply them promptly once released. Employing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting the plugin endpoints can reduce exposure. Restricting access to the plugin’s endpoints via IP whitelisting or authentication proxies can add an additional layer of defense. Regularly auditing WordPress plugins for updates and vulnerabilities is critical. Implementing strict input validation and sanitization at the application level can help prevent injection attacks. Backup and incident response plans should be reviewed and tested to ensure rapid recovery in case of compromise. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Security teams should also monitor logs for unusual activity related to the plugin endpoints and prepare for potential incident response.