CVE-2025-53232 in WP Gmail SMTP Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/22/2025
Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data vulnerability in inkthemes WP Gmail SMTP wp-gmail-smtp allows Retrieve Embedded Sensitive Data.This issue affects WP Gmail SMTP: from n/a through <= 1.0.7.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2025-53232 represents a critical insertion of sensitive information into sent data flaw within the inkthemes WP Gmail SMTP plugin version 1.0.7 and earlier. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of Information Exposure, specifically concerning the insertion of sensitive data into transmitted communications. The issue stems from improper handling of authentication credentials and potentially other sensitive information within the plugin's email transmission mechanisms.
The technical implementation flaw occurs when the plugin processes email sending operations through the Gmail SMTP service. During this process, sensitive data including but not limited to authentication tokens, API keys, or configuration parameters becomes embedded within the email content or transmission headers. This occurs due to inadequate input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to retrieve embedded sensitive data through various means including network sniffing, log analysis, or direct inspection of transmitted data packets.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for WordPress installations using the affected plugin version. Attackers who can intercept network traffic or access system logs may extract authentication credentials, allowing them to gain unauthorized access to Gmail accounts configured through the plugin. The vulnerability also exposes configuration data that could be leveraged for further attacks including privilege escalation or lateral movement within compromised environments. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a technique under T1566 (Phishing) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) when combined with other attack vectors, as attackers can use the exposed credentials to establish persistent access.
The risk assessment indicates this vulnerability poses a high severity threat to organizations relying on the plugin for email functionality. System administrators should immediately assess their current plugin versions and implement mitigation strategies including updating to patched versions, implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous data transmission patterns, and reviewing email configurations for exposed credentials. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices as recommended in OWASP Top Ten security controls. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and encrypted communication channels to prevent unauthorized data interception.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patch deployment to version 1.0.8 or later, which addresses the sensitive data exposure issue through proper data sanitization and output handling. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive security audits of all email configurations, revoke and regenerate exposed credentials, and implement monitoring solutions to detect potential data leakage events. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of regular security assessments and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices as outlined in NIST SP 800-53 security controls. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures specifically addressing credential exposure scenarios to minimize potential damage from similar vulnerabilities.