CVE-2025-4828 is a critical vulnerability affecting the Support Board plugin for WordPress, developed by Schiocco. The vulnerability arises from improper validation of file paths in the sb_file_delete function, which allows an attacker to perform arbitrary file deletion on the server hosting the WordPress site. Specifically, the vulnerability is categorized under CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as Path Traversal). This flaw enables attackers to craft malicious requests that bypass directory restrictions and delete sensitive files outside the intended directory scope. Since the vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 3.8.0, any unpatched instance of the plugin is at risk. The impact of arbitrary file deletion is severe, as deleting critical files such as wp-config.php can lead to remote code execution (RCE), effectively allowing attackers to take full control of the affected server. Furthermore, the vulnerability can be exploited without authentication or user interaction, increasing the attack surface and ease of exploitation. The description also references CVE-2025-4855, which can be chained with this vulnerability to facilitate exploitation. The CVSS v3.1 score of 9.8 reflects the critical nature of this vulnerability, with network attack vector, no privileges required, no user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the potential for exploitation is high given the severity and ease of attack. The lack of available patches at the time of publication underscores the urgency for affected organizations to implement mitigations or workarounds promptly.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-4828 can be substantial. WordPress is widely used across Europe for websites ranging from small businesses to large enterprises and government portals. The Support Board plugin is a popular customer support tool, meaning many organizations rely on it for client interaction and service management. Exploitation could lead to deletion of critical files, resulting in website downtime, data loss, and potential full server compromise through subsequent remote code execution. This can disrupt business operations, damage reputation, and lead to regulatory non-compliance, especially under GDPR where data integrity and availability are critical. Additionally, compromised websites can be used as launchpads for further attacks, including phishing or malware distribution, affecting customers and partners. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit increases risk, as attackers do not need valid credentials or user interaction, making automated mass scanning and exploitation feasible. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, e-commerce, and public administration are particularly at risk due to the sensitivity of their data and the criticality of their online services.

1. Immediate mitigation should include disabling or uninstalling the Support Board plugin until a vendor patch is released. 2. Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the sb_file_delete function or containing path traversal patterns (e.g., '../'). 3. Restrict file system permissions for the web server user to limit the ability to delete or modify critical files outside designated directories. 4. Monitor web server and application logs for unusual file deletion attempts or errors related to file access. 5. Employ intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with signatures targeting this vulnerability once available. 6. Regularly back up website files and databases to enable rapid recovery in case of file deletion or compromise. 7. Once a patch is available from Schiocco, apply it promptly and verify the plugin version is updated. 8. Conduct security audits and penetration testing focused on path traversal and file manipulation vulnerabilities to identify similar issues. 9. Educate IT and security teams about the vulnerability and the importance of monitoring and rapid response.