CVE-2025-6715 is a critical security vulnerability identified in the LatePoint WordPress plugin, specifically in versions prior to 5.1.94. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-22, which corresponds to an improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as a path traversal flaw. This vulnerability arises from insufficient validation and sanitization of the 'layout' parameter within the plugin. An attacker can exploit this flaw by manipulating the 'layout' parameter to include arbitrary local files on the server. This leads to a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability, which can escalate to Remote Code Execution (RCE) if the attacker manages to include PHP files containing malicious code. The impact of such exploitation is severe, as it allows an attacker to execute arbitrary PHP code on the web server hosting the WordPress site, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, defacement, or pivoting to other internal systems. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. Although no known public exploits are reported yet, the nature of the vulnerability and the widespread use of WordPress and its plugins make it a significant threat. The absence of a CVSS score indicates that this vulnerability is newly published and pending formal scoring, but its technical characteristics suggest a high severity level. The lack of an official patch link implies that users must monitor LatePoint plugin updates closely and apply patches promptly once available.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, especially for those relying on WordPress websites with the LatePoint plugin installed. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, disruption of online services, and potential compliance violations under regulations such as GDPR due to data breaches. The ability to execute arbitrary PHP code on the server can result in complete website defacement, data manipulation, or the deployment of malware and ransomware. Given the critical role many European businesses place on their online presence for customer engagement and service delivery, such an attack could cause significant reputational damage and financial loss. Additionally, organizations in regulated sectors like finance, healthcare, and government are at heightened risk due to the sensitivity of their data and the stringent regulatory environment in Europe. The vulnerability's ease of exploitation without authentication further exacerbates the threat, making it accessible to a wide range of attackers, including opportunistic cybercriminals and advanced persistent threat actors.

European organizations should take immediate and specific actions to mitigate this vulnerability: 1) Identify all WordPress installations using the LatePoint plugin and verify the plugin version. 2) Upgrade the LatePoint plugin to version 5.1.94 or later as soon as the patch is released. Until an official patch is available, consider temporarily disabling the plugin or restricting access to the affected functionality via web application firewall (WAF) rules or server-level access controls. 3) Implement strict input validation and sanitization at the web application firewall or reverse proxy level to block attempts to manipulate the 'layout' parameter with path traversal sequences (e.g., '../'). 4) Conduct thorough security audits and monitoring of web server logs to detect any suspicious requests targeting the 'layout' parameter or attempts to include local files. 5) Employ the principle of least privilege for the web server user to limit the impact of potential code execution. 6) Regularly back up website data and configurations to enable rapid recovery in case of compromise. 7) Educate web administrators and developers about the risks of path traversal vulnerabilities and secure coding practices to prevent similar issues in custom plugins or themes.