CVE-2025-9217 is a path traversal vulnerability affecting the Slider Revolution plugin for WordPress, specifically all versions up to and including 6.7.36. The vulnerability arises due to improper limitation of pathname inputs ('CWE-22'), allowing authenticated users with Contributor-level access or higher to exploit the 'used_svg' and 'used_images' parameters. By manipulating these parameters, an attacker can traverse directories on the server and read arbitrary files outside the intended restricted directories. This can lead to disclosure of sensitive server files, such as configuration files, credentials, or other private data. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond authentication, and the attack vector is remote network access. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium severity), reflecting high confidentiality impact but no impact on integrity or availability. The attack complexity is low, and privileges required are low (Contributor-level), making exploitation feasible in environments where user roles are not tightly controlled. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, indicating that mitigation may rely on access control and monitoring until an official fix is released.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of sensitive data hosted on WordPress sites using the Slider Revolution plugin. Many European businesses, government agencies, and institutions rely on WordPress for their web presence, often with multiple contributors managing content. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could access configuration files containing database credentials, API keys, or personal data protected under GDPR. This could lead to data breaches, regulatory fines, reputational damage, and potential lateral movement within the network. Since the vulnerability requires only Contributor-level access, insider threats or compromised contributor accounts could be leveraged. The lack of impact on integrity or availability reduces the risk of defacement or denial of service but does not diminish the seriousness of confidential data exposure. Organizations with public-facing WordPress sites and multiple content contributors are particularly at risk.

1. Immediately audit user roles and permissions in WordPress to ensure that only trusted users have Contributor-level or higher access. 2. Implement strict access controls and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all accounts with elevated privileges to reduce the risk of account compromise. 3. Monitor web server logs for unusual requests involving 'used_svg' and 'used_images' parameters that could indicate exploitation attempts. 4. Until an official patch is released, consider disabling or restricting the Slider Revolution plugin on critical systems or replacing it with alternative plugins without this vulnerability. 5. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block path traversal patterns targeting these parameters. 6. Regularly back up website data and configurations to enable recovery in case of compromise. 7. Stay updated with vendor advisories and apply patches promptly once available.