CVE-2025-62079 identifies a missing authorization vulnerability (CWE-862) in the Damian WP Export Categories & Taxonomies WordPress plugin, versions up to 1.0.3. This vulnerability arises from improperly configured access control mechanisms that fail to verify whether a user is authorized to perform export operations on categories and taxonomies. Because the vulnerability does not require authentication (PR:N) and no user interaction (UI:N), an unauthenticated remote attacker can invoke the export functionality directly over the network (AV:N) to access potentially sensitive category and taxonomy data. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.3, reflecting a medium severity primarily due to limited confidentiality impact (C:L) and no impact on integrity or availability (I:N, A:N). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), meaning the exploit affects only the vulnerable component without impacting other system components. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches have been published yet. The vulnerability was reserved in early October 2025 and published by Patchstack in late December 2025. The plugin is commonly used in WordPress sites to export category and taxonomy data, which may include metadata relevant to site structure and content organization. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of this data, potentially aiding further reconnaissance or targeted attacks.

For European organizations, the primary impact is unauthorized disclosure of category and taxonomy data from WordPress sites using the vulnerable plugin. While this does not directly compromise site integrity or availability, exposure of site structure and taxonomy information can facilitate more targeted phishing, social engineering, or further exploitation attempts. Organizations relying heavily on WordPress for content management, especially those with sensitive or proprietary taxonomies, may face reputational risks and potential data privacy concerns under GDPR if sensitive metadata is exposed. The vulnerability's ease of exploitation (no authentication or user interaction required) increases the risk of automated scanning and exploitation attempts by attackers. However, the absence of known exploits in the wild and the medium severity rating suggest the immediate threat level is moderate. Nonetheless, given the widespread use of WordPress across Europe, especially in countries with large digital economies, the potential attack surface is significant.

Since no official patches are currently available, European organizations should implement compensating controls immediately. These include restricting access to the export functionality by limiting plugin usage to trusted administrators only, using web application firewalls (WAFs) to block unauthorized requests targeting export endpoints, and disabling or uninstalling the Damian WP Export Categories & Taxonomies plugin if it is not essential. Organizations should also monitor web server logs for unusual access patterns related to export functions and conduct regular vulnerability scans to detect the presence of this plugin. Once a patch is released, prompt application of updates is critical. Additionally, organizations should review WordPress user roles and permissions to ensure least privilege principles are enforced, minimizing exposure. Employing network segmentation and strict access controls on WordPress administration interfaces will further reduce risk.