CVE-2025-53322 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-201, which involves the insertion of sensitive information into sent data within the ZealousWeb plugin "Accept Authorize.NET Payments Using Contact Form 7." This plugin integrates payment processing capabilities via Authorize.NET into WordPress sites using the Contact Form 7 interface. The vulnerability allows an attacker to retrieve embedded sensitive data that is unintentionally included in the data sent by the plugin. Specifically, the flaw arises because sensitive information—potentially including payment details or personally identifiable information—is inserted into outgoing data streams without adequate protection or filtering. The vulnerability affects all versions of the plugin up to and including version 2.5. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.3, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N) shows that the vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network without authentication or user interaction, but only impacts confidentiality (partial loss), with no impact on integrity or availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been published yet. The vulnerability is significant because it exposes sensitive data that should remain confidential, potentially leading to information disclosure risks such as leakage of payment or customer data. Since the plugin is used in WordPress environments to facilitate payments, the exposure of sensitive data could undermine trust and compliance with data protection regulations.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to those using WordPress websites with the ZealousWeb Accept Authorize.NET Payments plugin integrated via Contact Form 7. The exposure of sensitive payment or customer data could lead to breaches of GDPR requirements, resulting in legal penalties and reputational damage. Financial data leakage could also facilitate fraud or identity theft. Since the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication or user interaction, attackers can potentially harvest sensitive data at scale if the plugin is widely deployed. This risk is heightened for e-commerce businesses, financial services, and any organizations processing payments online. The medium severity rating reflects a moderate confidentiality impact, but no direct impact on data integrity or system availability. Nonetheless, the breach of sensitive data confidentiality can have cascading effects, including loss of customer trust and regulatory scrutiny. Organizations in Europe must consider the implications of this vulnerability in the context of strict data protection laws and the importance of securing payment processing channels.

Given the absence of an official patch at this time, European organizations should take immediate steps to mitigate exposure. First, conduct an inventory to identify all WordPress sites using the ZealousWeb Accept Authorize.NET Payments plugin with Contact Form 7 integration. If possible, temporarily disable or remove the plugin until a patch is available. Alternatively, restrict access to affected endpoints by implementing network-level controls such as IP whitelisting or Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block suspicious requests targeting the plugin's data submission processes. Review and audit the data transmitted by the plugin to ensure no sensitive information is unnecessarily included or exposed. Employ encryption for data in transit (TLS) and ensure that payment data is handled according to PCI DSS standards. Monitor logs for unusual access patterns or data exfiltration attempts related to the plugin. Engage with the vendor ZealousWeb for updates on patch availability and apply updates promptly once released. Additionally, consider isolating payment processing functions from public-facing forms or using alternative, more secure payment integration methods until the vulnerability is resolved.