CVE-2025-68529 identifies a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the WP Email Capture plugin developed by Rhys Wynne, affecting all versions up to and including 3.12.5. CSRF vulnerabilities allow attackers to induce authenticated users, typically administrators, to execute unwanted actions on a web application in which they are currently authenticated. In this case, the vulnerability could allow an attacker to manipulate the plugin's settings or email capture processes by sending crafted requests that the victim's browser executes unknowingly. Since the plugin is used to collect email addresses via WordPress sites, unauthorized changes could lead to data leakage, manipulation of captured data, or disruption of email capture functionality. The vulnerability does not require prior authentication beyond the victim being logged into WordPress, nor does it require complex user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and no public exploits have been reported. The vulnerability was reserved and published in December 2025, indicating recent discovery. The absence of patch links suggests that a fix may not yet be available, emphasizing the need for immediate mitigation strategies. The plugin’s widespread use in WordPress-based marketing and lead generation sites increases the attack surface, especially in regions with high WordPress adoption.

For European organizations, the impact of this CSRF vulnerability can be significant. WP Email Capture is commonly used on marketing and lead generation websites to collect user email addresses, which are sensitive personal data under GDPR. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized modification or deletion of email capture configurations, resulting in loss or corruption of collected data, undermining data integrity and availability. Attackers could also redirect captured emails to malicious endpoints, risking confidentiality breaches. This could damage organizational reputation, lead to regulatory penalties, and disrupt marketing operations. Since many European companies rely on WordPress for their web presence, especially SMEs and digital agencies, the vulnerability could affect a broad range of sectors including retail, finance, and professional services. The ease of exploitation without requiring complex authentication or user interaction increases the risk of widespread attacks if the vulnerability is weaponized. Additionally, compromised email lists could be used for phishing campaigns targeting European users, amplifying the threat landscape.

Immediate mitigation should focus on minimizing exposure until an official patch is released. Organizations should: 1) Restrict administrative access to trusted networks and IP addresses to reduce the risk of CSRF exploitation. 2) Implement web application firewalls (WAF) with rules to detect and block CSRF attack patterns targeting the plugin’s endpoints. 3) Enforce strict user session management, including short session timeouts and re-authentication for sensitive actions. 4) Educate administrators to avoid clicking on suspicious links or visiting untrusted websites while logged into WordPress admin. 5) Monitor logs for unusual POST requests or configuration changes related to WP Email Capture. 6) Consider temporarily disabling or replacing the plugin with alternatives that have confirmed CSRF protections if feasible. 7) Once available, promptly apply vendor patches or updates addressing the vulnerability. 8) Review and enhance CSRF token implementation in custom or third-party plugins to prevent similar issues. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on network-level controls, user behavior, and proactive monitoring specific to this plugin’s context.