CVE-2025-7341 is a critical security vulnerability affecting the HT Contact Form Widget for Elementor Page Builder & Gutenberg Blocks & Form Builder WordPress plugin, versions up to and including 2.2.1. The vulnerability arises from improper privilege management (CWE-269) due to insufficient validation of file paths in the temp_file_delete() function. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to perform arbitrary file deletion on the server hosting the WordPress site. Specifically, the lack of proper path validation means an attacker can craft requests to delete any file on the server that the web server process has permission to remove. This includes critical files such as wp-config.php, which contains database credentials and other sensitive configuration data. Deleting such files can lead to remote code execution (RCE) because attackers may disrupt the normal operation of WordPress or replace files with malicious payloads. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.1, indicating a critical severity level. The attack vector is network-based with no authentication or user interaction required, making exploitation straightforward if the plugin is installed and active. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the ease of exploitation and potential impact make this a high-risk vulnerability for WordPress sites using this plugin. The vulnerability affects all versions up to 2.2.1, and no patch links are currently provided, indicating that users must monitor vendor updates closely or consider alternative mitigations.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those relying on WordPress websites for business operations, customer engagement, or internal portals. Successful exploitation can lead to deletion of critical files, causing website downtime, loss of data integrity, and potential full compromise of the web server through remote code execution. This can result in data breaches, defacement, disruption of services, and reputational damage. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, finance, healthcare, and government are particularly vulnerable due to the sensitive nature of their data and regulatory compliance requirements under GDPR. Additionally, the ability for unauthenticated attackers to exploit this vulnerability remotely increases the attack surface, potentially allowing threat actors to target multiple organizations at scale. The disruption of web services can also affect supply chains and customer trust, leading to financial losses and legal consequences.

1. Immediate mitigation involves disabling or uninstalling the HT Contact Form Widget plugin until a secure patch is released. 2. Monitor the vendor’s official channels for security updates or patches addressing CVE-2025-7341 and apply them promptly. 3. Implement web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the temp_file_delete() function or unusual file deletion attempts. 4. Restrict file system permissions for the web server user to the minimum necessary, preventing deletion of critical files like wp-config.php. 5. Conduct regular backups of WordPress sites and configuration files to enable rapid recovery in case of file deletion or compromise. 6. Employ intrusion detection systems (IDS) to monitor for anomalous activities indicative of exploitation attempts. 7. Review and harden WordPress security configurations, including disabling unnecessary plugins and enforcing least privilege principles. 8. Educate site administrators about the risks and signs of exploitation to ensure timely detection and response.