CVE-2025-60210 is a critical security vulnerability identified in the Everest Forms - Frontend Listing WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions up to and including 1.0.5. The vulnerability arises from insecure deserialization of untrusted data, which allows an attacker to perform object injection attacks. Deserialization vulnerabilities occur when untrusted input is processed by the application to reconstruct objects without proper validation or sanitization. In this case, the plugin fails to securely handle serialized data submitted via the frontend listing feature, enabling attackers to inject malicious objects. This can lead to remote code execution, privilege escalation, data leakage, or denial of service. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction, significantly increasing its risk profile. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 9.8, reflecting critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the nature of the vulnerability and its ease of exploitation make it a prime target for attackers. The plugin is commonly used in WordPress environments to create frontend forms and listings, often integrated into websites that collect user data or manage content dynamically. Attackers exploiting this flaw could gain unauthorized access to backend systems, manipulate data, or disrupt website operations. The lack of an official patch at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate defensive actions by administrators.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-60210 can be severe. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, intellectual property, or internal systems, resulting in data breaches and regulatory non-compliance under GDPR. Integrity of website content and user-submitted data could be compromised, undermining trust and brand reputation. Availability impacts could disrupt business operations, especially for e-commerce platforms or service providers relying on WordPress sites with Everest Forms. The vulnerability's unauthenticated remote exploitation capability means attackers can launch attacks at scale, increasing the risk of widespread incidents. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, retail, and government are particularly vulnerable due to the sensitive nature of their data and the criticality of their online services. Additionally, the potential for remote code execution could allow attackers to establish persistent footholds within networks, facilitating further lateral movement and advanced persistent threats (APTs).

Immediate mitigation steps include: 1) Monitoring for and applying official patches from the wpeverest vendor as soon as they are released. 2) In the absence of patches, deploying Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules specifically designed to detect and block malicious serialized payloads targeting the Everest Forms frontend listing endpoints. 3) Restricting access to the affected plugin’s endpoints using IP whitelisting or authentication proxies where feasible. 4) Conducting thorough vulnerability scans and penetration tests focused on WordPress plugins to identify the presence of Everest Forms - Frontend Listing and verify exposure. 5) Implementing strict input validation and sanitization at the application level if custom code is used alongside the plugin. 6) Maintaining robust backup and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential compromises. 7) Educating site administrators about the risks of installing unverified plugins and the importance of timely updates. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific attack vector and plugin involved.