CVE-2025-62946 is a missing authorization vulnerability identified in Everest Backup, a WordPress backup plugin developed by everestthemes, affecting all versions up to and including 2.3.8. The vulnerability arises from incorrectly configured access control mechanisms, allowing attackers with low-level privileges (PR:L) to perform unauthorized actions over the network (AV:N) without requiring user interaction (UI:N). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H) of backup data, which is critical for disaster recovery and data protection. Due to missing or insufficient authorization checks, an attacker can potentially access or manipulate backup files, leading to data leakage, tampering, or deletion. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 reflects the high severity and ease of exploitation. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's nature and impact make it a prime target for attackers once exploit code becomes available. The plugin's widespread use in WordPress environments, particularly in Europe where WordPress is a dominant CMS, increases the risk. The vulnerability was published on October 27, 2025, with no patches currently linked, indicating that organizations must implement interim mitigations. The issue underscores the importance of proper access control enforcement in backup solutions to prevent unauthorized data exposure or loss.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant threat to the security and integrity of backup data, which is essential for business continuity and compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR. Unauthorized access or manipulation of backups could lead to data breaches, loss of critical information, and disruption of recovery processes. This can result in financial losses, reputational damage, and potential regulatory penalties. Organizations relying on Everest Backup for WordPress sites are at risk of attackers exploiting this flaw to gain access to sensitive data or disrupt backup operations. The impact is particularly severe for sectors with stringent data protection requirements, including finance, healthcare, and government entities. Additionally, the ease of exploitation without user interaction increases the likelihood of automated attacks targeting vulnerable systems across Europe.

1. Immediately restrict network access to the Everest Backup plugin interfaces by implementing IP whitelisting or VPN-only access to reduce exposure. 2. Apply the vendor-provided patch as soon as it becomes available; monitor everestthemes official channels for updates. 3. Implement strict role-based access controls within WordPress to limit plugin usage to trusted administrators only. 4. Regularly audit backup files and logs for unauthorized access or modifications to detect potential exploitation early. 5. Consider disabling or uninstalling Everest Backup temporarily if patching is not feasible, and use alternative backup solutions with verified security. 6. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to block suspicious requests targeting backup endpoints. 7. Educate IT staff on monitoring and incident response procedures specific to backup system vulnerabilities. 8. Ensure backups are encrypted at rest and in transit to mitigate data exposure risks even if accessed.