CVE-2025-8905 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code, commonly known as Code Injection) affecting the Inpersttion For Theme WordPress plugin. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 1.0 of the plugin. The root cause lies in the theme_section_shortcode() function, which fails to restrict the functions that can be invoked by authenticated users. Specifically, attackers with Contributor-level access or higher can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary code on the server. Although the execution is limited to calling arbitrary functions without user-supplied parameters, this still presents a significant risk because it allows attackers to run server-side code, potentially leading to unauthorized actions such as data manipulation, privilege escalation, or further compromise of the hosting environment. The vulnerability requires authentication at the Contributor level, meaning that the attacker must have some level of access to the WordPress backend, but does not require user interaction beyond that. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.3, indicating a medium severity level, with attack vector being network-based, low attack complexity, privileges required at a low level, no user interaction, and impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, albeit limited in scope. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, indicating that mitigation may rely on vendor updates or manual intervention. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where Contributor-level access is more easily obtained or where multiple users have such privileges, increasing the attack surface for exploitation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk, especially for those relying on WordPress websites using the Inpersttion For Theme plugin. The ability for an authenticated user with Contributor-level access to execute arbitrary code can lead to unauthorized data access, defacement, or disruption of services. This can impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of web assets and potentially the underlying infrastructure if the attacker escalates privileges or moves laterally. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, government, healthcare, and media, which often use WordPress for public-facing sites, could face reputational damage, regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data is compromised, and operational disruptions. The requirement for authenticated access somewhat limits the threat to insiders or compromised accounts, but phishing or credential stuffing attacks could facilitate this. The lack of patches means organizations must be vigilant and proactive in monitoring and mitigating this risk. Given the interconnected nature of European digital infrastructure, exploitation could also affect supply chains and third-party service providers using this plugin.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting Contributor-level access to trusted users only and reviewing existing user roles to minimize unnecessary privileges. 2. Implement strong authentication mechanisms, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), to reduce the risk of account compromise. 3. Monitor WordPress logs and server activity for unusual function calls or behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 4. Disable or remove the Inpersttion For Theme plugin if it is not essential to the website’s functionality until a vendor patch is released. 5. If the plugin is necessary, consider applying manual code restrictions or hardening the theme_section_shortcode() function to validate and restrict callable functions strictly. 6. Keep WordPress core and all plugins updated and subscribe to vulnerability advisories for timely patching once available. 7. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious shortcode usage patterns. 8. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on user privilege abuse and code injection vectors.