CVE-2025-48134 is a high-severity vulnerability classified under CWE-502, which pertains to the deserialization of untrusted data. This vulnerability affects the WP Tabs plugin developed by ShapedPlugin LLC, specifically versions up to 2.2.11. The core issue arises from the plugin's handling of serialized data inputs without proper validation or sanitization, allowing an attacker to perform object injection attacks. Such attacks can lead to arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, or other malicious activities by manipulating the deserialization process. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 reflects the network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), but requiring high privileges (PR:H) and no user interaction (UI:N). The impact scope is unchanged (S:U), but confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all rated high (C:H/I:H/A:H), indicating that a successful exploit could fully compromise the affected system. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, which suggests that organizations using this plugin should prioritize monitoring and mitigation. The vulnerability is particularly critical because WordPress plugins like WP Tabs are widely used to enhance website functionality, and a compromised plugin can serve as a gateway for attackers to infiltrate web servers and potentially pivot to internal networks.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for businesses relying on WordPress-based websites for customer engagement, e-commerce, or internal portals. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, intellectual property, or internal communications, violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that attackers could deface websites, inject malicious content, or disrupt services, damaging brand reputation and causing financial losses. Additionally, organizations in regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government may face severe compliance penalties if breaches occur. Since the vulnerability requires high privileges, the initial compromise vector might involve insider threats or compromised administrator accounts, emphasizing the need for strict access controls. The lack of user interaction needed for exploitation increases the risk of automated attacks once an exploit becomes publicly available.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence and version of the WP Tabs plugin. Until a patch is released, it is advisable to disable or remove the plugin to eliminate the attack surface. Implement strict access controls and monitor administrative accounts for suspicious activities to prevent privilege escalation. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block malicious serialized payloads targeting deserialization vulnerabilities. Regularly update all WordPress plugins and core installations to the latest versions once patches are available. Conduct thorough code reviews and penetration testing focusing on deserialization processes within custom or third-party plugins. Additionally, implement network segmentation to limit the lateral movement potential if a web server is compromised. Maintain comprehensive logging and alerting to detect early signs of exploitation attempts.