CVE-2025-11176 is an authorization bypass vulnerability classified under CWE-639 (Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key) found in the Quick Featured Images WordPress plugin developed by kybernetikservices. The vulnerability exists in all versions up to 13.7.2 and is triggered via the plugin's AJAX actions qfi_set_thumbnail and qfi_delete_thumbnail. These actions lack proper validation of a user-controlled key parameter, which leads to an Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR). As a result, authenticated users with Author-level privileges or higher can manipulate the featured images of posts they do not own by changing or deleting them. This bypasses intended access controls that should restrict such modifications to post owners or administrators. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond authentication and can be exploited remotely over the network (AV:N). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.3 (medium), reflecting low impact on confidentiality and availability but limited impact on integrity. No patches or known exploits are currently reported, but the flaw poses a risk to content integrity and site trustworthiness. Organizations relying on this plugin for content management should be aware of the risk of unauthorized content alteration by internal users with elevated privileges.

For European organizations, this vulnerability primarily threatens the integrity of website content managed via WordPress using the Quick Featured Images plugin. Attackers with Author-level access can alter or remove featured images on posts they do not own, potentially leading to misinformation, defacement, or reputational damage. While it does not expose sensitive data or disrupt service availability, the ability to manipulate visual content can undermine user trust and brand credibility. This is particularly critical for media companies, e-commerce sites, and public sector websites where content authenticity is vital. Additionally, internal threat actors or compromised Author accounts could exploit this flaw to cause targeted damage. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the widespread use of WordPress in Europe means many organizations could be affected if the vulnerability is weaponized.

1. Immediately audit user roles and permissions to ensure only trusted users have Author-level or higher access, minimizing the attack surface. 2. Temporarily disable or restrict the Quick Featured Images plugin usage until a security patch is released. 3. Monitor logs for unusual AJAX requests to qfi_set_thumbnail and qfi_delete_thumbnail endpoints indicating potential exploitation attempts. 4. Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting these AJAX actions. 5. Educate content managers and administrators about the risk and encourage strong authentication practices to prevent account compromise. 6. Once available, promptly apply official patches or updates from kybernetikservices addressing this vulnerability. 7. Consider alternative plugins with better security track records if patching is delayed. 8. Conduct periodic security reviews of all WordPress plugins to identify and mitigate similar authorization issues.