CVE-2025-22686: CF7 Google Sheets Connector Auth Bypass

CVE-2025-22686 Overview

CVE-2025-22686 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability [CWE-862] affecting the WesternDeal CF7 Google Sheets Connector plugin for WordPress. The flaw impacts all versions up to and including 5.0.17. The plugin exposes functionality that fails to enforce proper access control checks, allowing unauthenticated network-based attackers to interact with restricted actions. According to Patchstack, the issue is classified as a Broken Access Control vulnerability tied to incorrectly configured access control security levels.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can exploit the missing authorization checks over the network to interact with plugin functionality that should be restricted to privileged users, resulting in limited integrity impact on affected WordPress sites.

Affected Products

WesternDeal CF7 Google Sheets Connector (cf7-google-sheets-connector) plugin for WordPress
All versions from n/a through 5.0.17
WordPress sites using Contact Form 7 with the affected connector plugin installed

Discovery Timeline

2025-02-03 - CVE-2025-22686 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-22686

Vulnerability Analysis

The CF7 Google Sheets Connector plugin integrates Contact Form 7 submissions with Google Sheets. The vulnerable versions contain endpoints or actions that lack proper capability or nonce verification. An attacker sending crafted HTTP requests can reach functionality that should require an authenticated administrative session.

The attack requires no user interaction and no prior authentication. Exploitation occurs over the network against the WordPress site hosting the vulnerable plugin. The scope of the flaw is limited to integrity impact, meaning attackers can modify certain plugin state or trigger actions without compromising confidentiality or availability.

Root Cause

The root cause is a missing authorization check [CWE-862] within one or more plugin handlers. WordPress plugins typically enforce access control using current_user_can() capability checks combined with check_admin_referer() or wp_verify_nonce() calls. The affected plugin fails to consistently apply these controls, allowing requests from unauthenticated sources to reach protected logic paths.

Attack Vector

Exploitation is remote and unauthenticated. An attacker crafts HTTP requests targeting the plugin's exposed AJAX actions or admin-post handlers on a vulnerable WordPress installation. Because no privileges or user interaction are required, mass scanning and automated exploitation against exposed sites is feasible. The Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) currently reflects a low probability of exploitation activity in the near term.

No public proof-of-concept code has been released. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for additional technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-22686

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected HTTP POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php or /wp-admin/admin-post.php referencing CF7 Google Sheets Connector actions from unauthenticated sessions
Unusual outbound API calls to Google Sheets endpoints originating from the WordPress host
Modifications to plugin configuration or connected Google Sheets without corresponding administrator activity in audit logs

Detection Strategies

Inventory WordPress installations and identify sites running cf7-google-sheets-connector version 5.0.17 or earlier
Review web server access logs for requests targeting plugin-specific AJAX action names without valid authenticated session cookies
Correlate WordPress audit logs with web server logs to identify privileged actions performed without administrator authentication

Monitoring Recommendations

Deploy a web application firewall rule to alert on requests to plugin endpoints missing valid nonces or authentication cookies
Enable a WordPress activity log plugin to record configuration changes tied to CF7 and connected integrations
Monitor Google Sheets audit logs for unexpected write activity from service accounts linked to WordPress sites

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-22686

Immediate Actions Required

Update CF7 Google Sheets Connector to a version newer than 5.0.17 as soon as the vendor releases a patched build
Audit connected Google Sheets and revoke or rotate any service credentials that may have been exposed
Restrict administrative endpoints such as /wp-admin/ to trusted IP ranges where operationally feasible

Patch Information

At the time of publication, the Patchstack advisory lists the vulnerability as affecting versions through 5.0.17. Site administrators should consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report and the plugin's official WordPress.org listing for the current patched release, then apply the update through the WordPress plugin manager.

Workarounds

Deactivate and remove the CF7 Google Sheets Connector plugin until a fixed version is confirmed installed
Deploy WAF virtual patching rules that block unauthenticated requests to the plugin's AJAX and admin-post handlers
Enforce HTTP authentication or IP allowlisting on /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php for actions registered by the plugin

bash

# Example: block unauthenticated access to plugin AJAX actions via nginx
location = /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php {
    if ($arg_action ~* "cf7_google_sheets") {
        # require valid WordPress logged-in cookie
        if ($http_cookie !~* "wordpress_logged_in_") {
            return 403;
        }
    }
}