CVE-2026-25404 identifies a missing authorization vulnerability in the WP Job Manager plugin developed by Automattic, affecting all versions up to 2.4.0. The core issue stems from improperly configured access control security levels within the plugin, which fail to enforce proper authorization checks on certain operations. This misconfiguration allows an attacker, potentially unauthenticated or with limited privileges, to perform actions that should be restricted, such as modifying job listings, accessing sensitive data, or altering plugin settings. The vulnerability does not currently have a CVSS score, and no public exploits have been reported, but the risk remains significant due to the nature of the flaw. WP Job Manager is a widely used WordPress plugin for managing job listings and recruitment workflows, often integrated into corporate and recruitment websites. The missing authorization can lead to unauthorized data disclosure, data integrity compromise, and potential disruption of job listing services. Since WordPress powers a large portion of websites globally, including many in Europe, the exposure is broad. The vulnerability requires immediate attention to prevent exploitation, especially in environments where job data confidentiality and integrity are critical. The lack of authentication requirement for exploitation increases the threat level, as attackers do not need valid credentials to leverage the flaw. Organizations should monitor Automattic’s updates for patches and review their access control policies within the plugin configuration. Additionally, auditing user roles and permissions related to WP Job Manager can help mitigate risk until an official patch is applied.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2026-25404 can be significant, particularly for those relying on WP Job Manager to handle sensitive recruitment data or job listings. Unauthorized access could lead to exposure of personal data of job applicants or employees, violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. Integrity of job postings could be compromised, resulting in misinformation or fraudulent listings that damage organizational reputation and trust. Availability might also be affected if attackers manipulate or delete job listings, disrupting recruitment operations. The vulnerability's ease of exploitation without authentication increases the risk of widespread abuse, potentially leading to targeted attacks against high-profile companies or government agencies using the plugin. This could result in regulatory penalties, financial losses, and operational disruptions. Given the strategic importance of recruitment platforms in the digital economy, especially in countries with large labor markets and active online job portals, the threat is particularly relevant. Organizations may also face indirect impacts such as increased phishing or social engineering attacks leveraging compromised job data. Overall, the vulnerability poses a high risk to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of recruitment-related web services in Europe.

1. Immediately verify the version of WP Job Manager in use and plan to upgrade to a patched version once released by Automattic. 2. Until a patch is available, restrict access to WP Job Manager administrative and management interfaces to trusted users only, minimizing exposure. 3. Review and tighten WordPress user roles and permissions, ensuring that only necessary users have rights to manage job listings or plugin settings. 4. Implement web application firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting WP Job Manager endpoints. 5. Monitor logs for unusual activity related to job listing creation, modification, or deletion, and investigate anomalies promptly. 6. Conduct regular security audits and penetration tests focusing on WordPress plugins, especially those handling sensitive data. 7. Educate site administrators about the risks of missing authorization vulnerabilities and encourage prompt application of security updates. 8. Consider isolating the job management functionality on separate subdomains or environments with stricter access controls. 9. Backup job listing data frequently to enable recovery in case of data tampering or deletion. 10. Engage with Automattic’s security advisories and community forums to stay informed about updates and mitigation best practices.