CVE-2025-54015 is a 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 HT Plugins product 'HT Contact Form 7' up to version 2.0.0. The flaw allows for PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI), meaning an attacker with certain privileges can manipulate the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements to execute arbitrary local files on the server. This can lead to the execution of malicious code, disclosure of sensitive files, or complete compromise of the web server hosting the vulnerable plugin. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.6, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) shows that the attack is network exploitable but requires high privileges and no user interaction, with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability arises because the plugin does not properly validate or sanitize the filename input used in PHP include/require statements, allowing an attacker with sufficient privileges (likely authenticated users with elevated rights) to include arbitrary local files. This can lead to remote code execution if the attacker can upload malicious files or leverage existing files on the server. Given the nature of contact form plugins, which are commonly used on WordPress sites, this vulnerability could be leveraged to compromise websites, steal data, or pivot to further attacks within the hosting environment.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for those relying on WordPress sites with the HT Contact Form 7 plugin installed. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive customer or internal data, defacement of websites, or full server compromise. This can result in reputational damage, regulatory penalties under GDPR due to data breaches, and operational disruptions. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, e-commerce, and government are particularly at risk due to the sensitive nature of their data and the criticality of their online presence. Furthermore, the requirement for high privileges to exploit the vulnerability suggests that insider threats or compromised accounts could be leveraged, increasing the risk profile. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability becomes widely known.

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should first verify if they are using the HT Contact Form 7 plugin version 2.0.0 or earlier. Immediate steps include restricting access to the plugin's administrative interfaces to trusted users only and monitoring for unusual file inclusion attempts in web server logs. Since no official patches are currently linked, organizations should contact the vendor for updates or consider temporarily disabling the plugin until a fix is available. Implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block suspicious include/require patterns can provide an additional layer of defense. Regularly auditing user privileges to ensure that only necessary users have high-level access reduces the risk of exploitation. Additionally, employing file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized changes and isolating web servers to limit lateral movement in case of compromise are recommended. Organizations should also maintain up-to-date backups to enable recovery in the event of a successful attack.