CVE-2025-47438 is a high-severity vulnerability classified under CWE-98, which pertains to improper control of filenames used in include or require statements within PHP programs. Specifically, this vulnerability affects the WP Job Portal plugin for WordPress, versions up to and including 2.3.1. The flaw allows an attacker to perform a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) attack by manipulating the filename parameter that is used in an include or require statement without proper validation or sanitization. This can lead to the inclusion and execution of arbitrary local files on the server, potentially exposing sensitive information, executing malicious code, or escalating privileges. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 reflects the vulnerability's network attack vector (AV:N), requiring high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H), indicating that exploitation could lead to full system compromise. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's nature and severity make it a critical concern for affected deployments. The lack of a patch link suggests that a fix may not yet be publicly available, emphasizing the need for immediate mitigation efforts. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation in the WP Job Portal plugin, which is widely used for job listing and recruitment functionalities on WordPress sites, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking to compromise websites or pivot into internal networks.

For European organizations using WordPress sites with the WP Job Portal plugin, this vulnerability poses significant risks. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data, including user credentials, personal information, and internal configuration files, violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. Attackers could also execute arbitrary code on the web server, potentially leading to website defacement, malware distribution, or lateral movement within corporate networks. This could disrupt business operations, damage reputation, and result in regulatory fines. Given the plugin's role in recruitment and HR processes, compromised systems could expose applicant data or internal hiring strategies, further increasing the risk. Additionally, the high severity and network accessibility mean attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely without authentication or user interaction, increasing the likelihood of automated scanning and exploitation attempts targeting European organizations.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence and version of the WP Job Portal plugin. Until an official patch is released, organizations should consider the following specific mitigations: 1) Disable or remove the WP Job Portal plugin if it is not essential to reduce the attack surface. 2) Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious requests attempting to exploit file inclusion, such as those containing directory traversal sequences or unexpected parameters in include/require statements. 3) Restrict PHP file inclusion paths using open_basedir or similar PHP configuration directives to limit accessible directories and prevent inclusion of unauthorized files. 4) Monitor web server logs for unusual access patterns or errors indicative of attempted file inclusion attacks. 5) Employ intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) tuned for PHP LFI indicators. 6) Follow best practices for WordPress security, including running the latest WordPress core and plugins, applying principle of least privilege to web server processes, and isolating critical systems. 7) Prepare to apply vendor patches promptly once available and test them in staging environments before production deployment.