CVE-2025-8895 is a critical security vulnerability classified under CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as Path Traversal) affecting the WP Webhooks plugin developed by cozmoslabs for WordPress. This plugin facilitates automation workflows within WordPress sites. The vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 3.3.5, where insufficient validation of user-supplied input allows unauthenticated attackers to perform arbitrary file copy operations on the affected server. Specifically, an attacker can exploit this flaw to copy sensitive files such as wp-config.php to arbitrary locations accessible via a web browser. The wp-config.php file typically contains critical configuration details including database credentials, salts, and keys, which if exposed, can lead to full compromise of the WordPress site and its underlying database. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8, indicating a critical severity with network attack vector, no required privileges or user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the ease of exploitation and the sensitive nature of the data exposed make this a highly urgent threat. The lack of patch links suggests that a fix may not yet be publicly available, increasing the risk window for affected installations. This vulnerability enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially escalate attacks to full site takeover, data theft, or further lateral movement within the hosting environment.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-8895 can be severe. WordPress is widely used across Europe for corporate websites, e-commerce platforms, and content management. The WP Webhooks plugin’s automation capabilities make it attractive for organizations seeking workflow efficiencies, increasing the likelihood of its deployment. Exploitation could lead to exposure of database credentials, enabling attackers to access sensitive customer data, intellectual property, or internal communications. This can result in data breaches violating GDPR regulations, leading to significant financial penalties and reputational damage. Additionally, attackers could modify website content or inject malicious code, affecting business continuity and customer trust. The critical nature of the vulnerability means attackers can exploit it remotely without authentication, increasing the attack surface. European organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and retail, which rely heavily on WordPress for public-facing services, are particularly at risk. The potential for data exfiltration and service disruption also poses risks to supply chain partners and customers, amplifying the overall impact.

Immediate mitigation steps include: 1) Identifying and inventorying all WordPress installations using the WP Webhooks plugin, especially versions up to 3.3.5. 2) Temporarily disabling or uninstalling the WP Webhooks plugin until a security patch is released. 3) Implementing web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal attempts targeting the plugin’s endpoints. 4) Restricting file system permissions on the web server to limit the ability of the web process to write or copy files outside designated directories. 5) Monitoring web server logs for suspicious requests attempting to exploit path traversal patterns. 6) Once a patch is available, applying it promptly and verifying the fix. 7) Conducting a thorough security audit of WordPress configurations and plugins to identify other potential vulnerabilities. 8) Educating site administrators on the risks of installing unvetted plugins and the importance of timely updates. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on immediate containment, proactive detection, and hardening of the environment specific to this vulnerability.