CVE-2025-58597 is an authorization bypass vulnerability classified under CWE-639 (Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key) affecting the wpForo Forum plugin developed by Tomdever. This vulnerability arises due to incorrectly configured access control security levels, allowing an attacker with some level of privileges (PR:L - privileges required: low) to manipulate user-controlled keys to bypass authorization checks. The vulnerability affects versions up to 2.4.6 of the wpForo Forum plugin. Exploitation does not require user interaction (UI:N) and can be performed remotely over the network (AV:N), making it accessible to attackers without physical or local access. The vulnerability impacts availability (A:L) but does not affect confidentiality or integrity, indicating that attackers could potentially disrupt forum availability or functionality but not access or modify sensitive data. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.3, categorized as medium severity. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability is significant because wpForo Forum is a popular WordPress plugin used to add forum functionality to websites, and improper access control can allow unauthorized users to perform actions reserved for higher privilege levels, potentially disrupting forum operations or causing denial of service conditions.

For European organizations using the wpForo Forum plugin, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disruption of forum services, impacting availability and user experience. While it does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, the ability to bypass authorization controls can allow attackers to perform restricted actions, potentially leading to denial of service or manipulation of forum features that rely on availability. Organizations relying on forums for customer support, community engagement, or internal collaboration may face operational disruptions. Given the medium severity and the lack of known exploits, the immediate risk is moderate; however, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against organizations with active forums, especially those with low privilege user accounts that can be manipulated. This could affect sectors such as education, government, and enterprises that use wpForo for public or internal communication. Additionally, disruption of forum availability could indirectly impact reputation and trust among users or customers.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the wpForo Forum plugin and verify the version in use. Until an official patch is released, organizations should consider the following specific mitigations: 1) Restrict access to forum administrative and moderation functions to trusted IP ranges or VPNs to limit exposure. 2) Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious requests attempting to manipulate authorization keys or access control parameters. 3) Review and tighten user roles and permissions within the forum to minimize the number of users with elevated privileges. 4) Monitor forum logs for unusual access patterns or repeated failed authorization attempts that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5) If feasible, temporarily disable or restrict forum functionalities that rely on the vulnerable access control mechanisms until a patch is available. 6) Stay updated with vendor announcements and apply security patches promptly once released. 7) Conduct penetration testing focused on authorization controls to identify any other potential weaknesses in the forum setup.