CVE-2025-64231 is a critical security vulnerability identified in the WordPress plugin 'Contact Form 7 PDF, Google Sheet & Database' developed by RedefiningTheWeb. The vulnerability stems from an unrestricted file upload flaw that allows attackers to upload files of dangerous types without any authentication or user interaction. This means malicious actors can directly upload executable scripts or other harmful files through the plugin's file upload functionality. The plugin versions affected include all versions up to and including 3.0.0. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 reflects the vulnerability's critical nature, with an attack vector that is network-based (AV:N), requiring no privileges (PR:N) or user interaction (UI:N), and impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a high degree (C:H/I:H/A:H). Exploiting this vulnerability could allow remote code execution on the hosting server, enabling attackers to take full control of the affected WordPress site, steal sensitive data, modify or delete content, and disrupt service availability. The vulnerability was reserved in late October 2025 and published in December 2025, with no known public exploits at the time of reporting. The lack of patch links suggests that a fix may not yet be available, underscoring the urgency for affected users to monitor vendor communications and apply updates promptly once released. The unrestricted upload issue likely arises from insufficient validation or sanitization of uploaded files, a common weakness in web applications that handle user-generated content. Given the widespread use of WordPress and the popularity of Contact Form 7 plugins, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to many websites worldwide.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-64231 can be severe. Many businesses, government agencies, and non-profits in Europe rely on WordPress for their web presence, often using Contact Form 7 and related plugins to manage user interactions and data collection. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive customer or internal data, disruption of online services, reputational damage, and potential regulatory penalties under GDPR due to data breaches. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely means attackers could implant backdoors, launch further attacks within the network, or use compromised sites as part of larger botnets or phishing campaigns. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, finance, healthcare, and public administration are particularly vulnerable due to the sensitive nature of their data and the criticality of their online services. Additionally, the ease of exploitation without authentication or user interaction increases the likelihood of automated attacks targeting vulnerable sites across Europe.

Immediate mitigation steps include monitoring official RedefiningTheWeb channels for patches and applying updates as soon as they become available. Until a patch is released, administrators should disable or restrict file upload functionality within the plugin if possible. Implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to block suspicious file uploads and scanning uploaded files for malicious content can reduce risk. Restricting file types allowed for upload to only safe formats (e.g., PDFs, images) and enforcing strict MIME type and extension validation is critical. Server-side controls such as disabling execution permissions in upload directories, isolating the WordPress environment, and employing least privilege principles for web server processes can limit the impact of a successful exploit. Regular security audits and monitoring for unusual activity, including unexpected file changes or new files in upload directories, will help detect exploitation attempts early. Organizations should also review backup and incident response plans to ensure rapid recovery if compromise occurs.