CVE-2025-7667 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the 'Restrict File Access' WordPress plugin developed by josxha, specifically all versions up to and including 1.1.2. The vulnerability is classified as a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) issue (CWE-352) caused by missing or incorrect nonce validation on the 'restrict-file-access' administrative page. Nonce validation is a security mechanism used to ensure that requests made to a web application are intentional and authorized by the user. In this case, the absence or improper implementation of nonce checks allows an attacker to craft malicious requests that can be executed by an authenticated administrator without their explicit consent. Exploitation requires tricking a site administrator into clicking a specially crafted link or visiting a malicious webpage while logged into the WordPress admin panel. Successful exploitation enables an unauthenticated attacker to delete arbitrary files on the server hosting the WordPress site. This file deletion capability is particularly dangerous because removing critical files such as wp-config.php can lead to remote code execution (RCE), allowing the attacker to gain full control over the server. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1, indicating high severity, with an attack vector of network (no physical access needed), low attack complexity, no privileges required, but user interaction (administrator clicking a link) is necessary. The impact includes high integrity and availability damage, as attackers can delete files and potentially execute arbitrary code, disrupting website functionality and compromising server security. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the vulnerability's nature and severity make it a significant risk for WordPress sites using this plugin. No patches or updates have been linked yet, so mitigation relies on immediate protective measures and monitoring.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, especially for those relying on WordPress websites with the 'Restrict File Access' plugin installed. The ability to delete arbitrary files and potentially achieve remote code execution can lead to website defacement, data loss, service outages, and full server compromise. This can disrupt business operations, damage reputation, and lead to regulatory non-compliance, particularly under GDPR where data integrity and availability are critical. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, government, education, and media that use WordPress extensively are at higher risk. The attack requires social engineering to trick administrators, which is feasible in targeted phishing campaigns common in Europe. The lack of authentication requirements for the attacker and the low complexity of exploitation increase the threat level. Additionally, the potential for RCE means attackers could pivot to internal networks, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy ransomware, amplifying the impact on European enterprises.

1. Immediate mitigation should include disabling or uninstalling the 'Restrict File Access' plugin until a secure patch is released. 2. Implement strict administrative access controls and limit administrator privileges to essential personnel only. 3. Educate administrators about phishing and social engineering risks to reduce the likelihood of clicking malicious links. 4. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the 'restrict-file-access' page. 5. Monitor server and application logs for unusual file deletion activities or unauthorized access attempts. 6. Regularly back up WordPress site files and databases to enable rapid recovery in case of file deletion or compromise. 7. Once a patch is available, promptly apply updates to the plugin to restore nonce validation and secure the administrative interface. 8. Consider implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for WordPress administrators to add an additional layer of security against unauthorized actions.