CVE-2025-7697 in Integration for Google Sheets and Contact Form 7, WPForms, Elementor, Ninja Forms Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/19/2025
The Integration for Google Sheets and Contact Form 7, WPForms, Elementor, Ninja Forms plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Object Injection in all versions up to, and including, 1.1.1 via deserialization of untrusted input within the verify_field_val() function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject a PHP Object. The additional presence of a POP chain in the Contact Form 7 plugin, which is likely to be used alongside, allows attackers to delete arbitrary files, leading to a denial of service or remote code execution when the wp-config.php file is deleted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-7697 affects a popular WordPress plugin ecosystem that integrates various form building tools including Contact Form 7, WPForms, Elementor, and Ninja Forms. This security flaw resides within the integration functionality that connects these plugins with Google Sheets, creating a pathway for malicious exploitation through PHP object injection techniques. The vulnerability impacts all versions up to and including 1.1.1, representing a significant risk to WordPress installations that utilize these integrated tools. The core issue manifests in the verify_field_val() function where untrusted input undergoes deserialization without proper sanitization or validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious PHP objects that can be executed within the WordPress environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a specific attack pattern that leverages PHP's object serialization and deserialization mechanisms. When an attacker submits crafted input to a form that utilizes the vulnerable plugin integration, the verify_field_val() function processes this input through unserialize() without adequate security measures. This creates an opportunity for attackers to inject serialized PHP objects containing malicious code. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates without authentication requirements, meaning any visitor to a WordPress site using the affected plugin can potentially exploit this flaw. The attack chain becomes more severe when considering that Contact Form 7, which is likely to be used alongside the vulnerable plugin, contains a POP (Property Object Pollution) chain that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary file deletion operations, significantly expanding the attack surface beyond simple object injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data manipulation or unauthorized access. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can achieve arbitrary file deletion on the WordPress server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The most critical scenario occurs when an attacker targets and deletes the wp-config.php file, which contains essential database connection information and other critical configuration parameters. This deletion results in immediate denial of service, as WordPress cannot function without proper configuration. However, the threat extends further as attackers can potentially execute remote code execution by deleting other critical system files or by leveraging the object injection to establish persistent access. The vulnerability represents a serious threat to WordPress site integrity and can lead to complete system compromise, data loss, and service disruption. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through standard web forms, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-7697 require immediate action from WordPress administrators and developers. The primary recommendation involves updating the vulnerable plugin to the latest version where the deserialization vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should also implement input validation and sanitization measures at the application level to prevent malicious serialized objects from being processed. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, though they should not be considered a substitute for proper code-level fixes. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file deletion patterns or unexpected PHP object processing activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-502 which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data, and follows attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under T1566 for credential access and T1499 for endpoint denial of service. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins and themes, as this type of attack vector remains prevalent in WordPress environments.