CVE-2025-59010 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in the WordPress plugin 'Permalink Manager Lite' developed by Maciej Bis. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-201, which involves the insertion of sensitive information into sent data, allowing unauthorized retrieval of embedded sensitive data. This issue affects all versions of Permalink Manager Lite up to and including version 2.5.1.3. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without any authentication or user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). The core problem is that the plugin inadvertently includes sensitive information within data sent over the network, potentially exposing confidential details to attackers who can intercept or access this data. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's nature and ease of exploitation make it a significant risk. The impact is primarily on confidentiality, as attackers can retrieve sensitive data without affecting integrity or availability. The vulnerability does not require any privileges or user interaction, increasing the risk of widespread exploitation if targeted. No official patches or fixes have been linked yet, so users of the affected plugin versions remain vulnerable until a remediation is released.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a considerable risk to data confidentiality, especially for entities relying on WordPress websites using the Permalink Manager Lite plugin for URL management. Sensitive information leakage could include configuration details, user data, or other embedded secrets that attackers might leverage for further attacks such as credential theft, phishing, or lateral movement within networks. The exposure of such data could lead to regulatory non-compliance issues under GDPR, resulting in legal and financial penalties. Additionally, organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, which often handle sensitive personal or operational data, could face reputational damage and loss of customer trust if exploited. Since the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, attackers can target vulnerable sites en masse, increasing the likelihood of widespread data breaches. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for mitigation, but the high CVSS score and ease of exploitation necessitate urgent attention.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence and version of the Permalink Manager Lite plugin. If found to be version 2.5.1.3 or earlier, organizations should consider temporarily disabling the plugin until a patch is available. Monitoring network traffic for unusual data transmissions that may include sensitive information can help detect exploitation attempts. Employing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to block suspicious requests targeting the plugin's endpoints can reduce exposure. Organizations should subscribe to vendor and security advisories for updates on patches or official fixes and apply them promptly once released. Additionally, conducting a thorough review of the data handled by the plugin and minimizing sensitive information embedded in URLs or transmitted data can reduce risk. Implementing strict access controls and network segmentation to limit exposure of web servers can further mitigate potential damage. Finally, organizations should prepare incident response plans specific to data leakage scenarios to respond swiftly if exploitation occurs.