CVE-2025-57902 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability identified in the WordPress plugin 'RIS Version Switcher – Downgrade or Upgrade WP Versions Easily' developed by Md Taufiqur Rahman. This plugin facilitates the upgrading or downgrading of WordPress core versions through its interface. The vulnerability arises because the plugin does not implement adequate CSRF protections, allowing an attacker to trick an authenticated WordPress administrator into executing unwanted actions by submitting forged requests. Specifically, an attacker can craft a malicious web page or link that, when visited by an authenticated admin, triggers unauthorized version switching operations without their consent. The CVSS v3.1 score is 6.5 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based (remote), requires no privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R), and impacts integrity (I:H) without affecting confidentiality or availability. The vulnerability affects all versions up to 1.0, with no patch currently available. No known exploits are reported in the wild yet. The absence of a patch means that vulnerable sites remain exposed to potential CSRF attacks that could lead to unauthorized WordPress version changes, potentially downgrading to vulnerable versions or upgrading to unstable ones, which could further expose the site to additional security risks or operational issues.

For European organizations using the RIS Version Switcher plugin, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized modification of their WordPress core version. This can have significant security implications, as downgrading to older versions may reintroduce previously patched vulnerabilities, increasing the risk of further compromise. Conversely, forced upgrades to untested versions could cause site instability or incompatibility with existing plugins and themes, impacting business continuity. Since WordPress powers a large portion of websites, including those of SMEs, public institutions, and e-commerce platforms in Europe, exploitation could lead to integrity breaches of their web infrastructure. Attackers could leverage this to facilitate further attacks such as data tampering, defacement, or planting backdoors. The requirement for user interaction (an authenticated admin visiting a malicious page) means social engineering or phishing campaigns could be used as attack vectors. The impact is particularly critical for organizations with high web presence or those relying heavily on WordPress for customer engagement, as any compromise could damage reputation and trust.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the RIS Version Switcher plugin. If found, and if upgrading or patching is not yet available, the plugin should be disabled or removed to eliminate the attack surface. Administrators should be trained to avoid clicking on suspicious links or visiting untrusted websites while logged into WordPress admin panels. Implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with CSRF protection rules can help detect and block suspicious requests. Additionally, organizations should enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for WordPress admin accounts to reduce the risk of account compromise. Monitoring administrative actions and logs for unusual version changes can provide early detection of exploitation attempts. Once a patch is released, prompt application is critical. Developers and site administrators should also consider adding nonce verification or other CSRF tokens to any custom or third-party plugins to prevent similar vulnerabilities.