CVE-2025-48116 is a security vulnerability classified under CWE-862, which pertains to missing authorization controls in the Ashan Perera EventON plugin. EventON is a popular event calendar plugin commonly used in WordPress environments to manage and display event information. The vulnerability allows unauthorized users to access functionality that should be restricted by Access Control Lists (ACLs). Specifically, the flaw means that certain functions within EventON are not properly constrained, enabling attackers to invoke these functions without the necessary permissions. The vulnerability affects versions up to 2.4.4, although the exact range of affected versions is not fully specified (noted as "n/a" in the affected versions field). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.3, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L) reveals that the attack can be performed remotely over the network without any privileges or user interaction, and it impacts availability only, with no confidentiality or integrity loss. This suggests that exploitation could lead to denial of service or disruption of event-related functionalities but not data leakage or modification. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability was published on May 16, 2025, and has been enriched by CISA, indicating recognition by US cybersecurity authorities. The missing authorization issue is critical in web applications because it can allow attackers to bypass security controls and perform unauthorized actions, potentially disrupting business operations or user experience.

For European organizations using the EventON plugin, this vulnerability could lead to service disruptions in event management systems, which may affect internal scheduling, customer-facing event calendars, or marketing campaigns relying on event data. Although the impact is limited to availability and does not compromise confidentiality or integrity, denial of service or unauthorized access to event functionality could degrade user trust and operational continuity. Organizations in sectors such as event management, education, hospitality, and cultural institutions that rely heavily on event scheduling and public event information dissemination may experience operational setbacks. Additionally, if EventON is integrated with other systems or workflows, the disruption could cascade, affecting broader business processes. Given that exploitation requires no privileges or user interaction, attackers could automate attacks at scale, increasing the risk of widespread disruption. However, the absence of known exploits in the wild and the medium severity score suggest that immediate critical damage is unlikely but should not be ignored.

European organizations should proactively audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence and version of the EventON plugin. Until an official patch is released, organizations should consider the following specific mitigations: 1) Restrict network access to the WordPress admin and EventON-related endpoints using web application firewalls (WAFs) or reverse proxies to limit exposure to untrusted networks. 2) Implement strict monitoring and logging of EventON plugin activity to detect unusual or unauthorized function calls that could indicate exploitation attempts. 3) Temporarily disable or deactivate the EventON plugin if event calendar functionality is not critical or can be temporarily suspended. 4) Apply principle of least privilege on WordPress user roles, ensuring that only trusted administrators have access to event management features. 5) Stay updated with vendor advisories and apply patches immediately once available. 6) Conduct penetration testing focused on authorization controls within EventON to identify any additional weaknesses. 7) Consider alternative event management plugins with stronger security postures if EventON is critical and patches are delayed.