CVE-2025-8289 HIGH

CVE-2025-8289: Redirection for Contact Form 7 <= 3.2.4 - Unauthenticated PHP Object Injection via PHAR Deserialization

Vendor Themeisle
Product Redirection for Contact Form 7
Weakness CWE-502 · Unsafe deserialization
Published August 20, 2025
Last update April 8, 2026

CVSS base score

7.5/10
Attack vector Network
Attack complexity High
Privileges required None
User interaction Required
Confidentiality High
Integrity High

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

What the vulnerability does

01Description

The Redirection for Contact Form 7 plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Object Injection in all versions up to, and including, 3.2.4 via deserialization of untrusted input in the delete_associated_files function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject a PHP Object. This vulnerability may be exploited by unauthenticated attackers when a form is present on the site with a file upload action, and doesn't affect sites with PHP version > 8. This vulnerability also requires the 'Redirection For Contact Form 7 Extension - Create Post' extension to be installed and activated in order to be exploited. No known POP chain is present in the vulnerable software, which means this vulnerability has no impact unless another plugin or theme containing a POP chain is installed on the site. If a POP chain is present via an additional plugin or theme installed on the target system, it may allow the attacker to perform actions like delete arbitrary files, retrieve sensitive data, or execute code depending on the POP chain present. We confirmed there is a usable gadget in Contact Form 7 plugin that makes arbitrary file deletion possible when installed with this plugin. Given Contact Form 7 is a requirement of this plugin, it is likely that any site with this plugin and the 'Redirection For Contact Form 7 Extension - Create Post' extension enabled is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion.

Explanation of Vulnerability in Simple Terms

02Summary

Redirection for Contact Form 7 versions up to 3.2.4 deserialize untrusted data without validation, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary PHP code on the site. The vulnerability requires the victim to click a malicious link or visit a crafted page. Site administrators should update to a version newer than 3.2.4 immediately.

What an attacker can do

03Attacker Capabilities

Run arbitrary PHP code on the site by tricking a user into clicking a malicious link.

Potential impact on your site

04Site Impact

Complete compromise of the site, including data theft, malware injection, and loss of control.

Conditions required to exploit

05Prerequisites

No authentication required. Victim must click a link or visit a page controlled by the attacker.

Key dates

06Disclosure timeline

August 20, 2025 CVE published
April 8, 2026 Record updated

Related vulnerabilities

08Related CVE