CVE-2025-11373 identifies a missing authorization vulnerability (CWE-862) in the 'Popup and Slider Builder by Depicter' WordPress plugin, which provides functionalities such as email collecting popups, coupon popups, and various sliders and carousels. The vulnerability exists in the 'depicter-media-upload' AJAX route, which lacks proper capability checks, allowing authenticated users with Contributor-level permissions or higher to upload files arbitrarily to the server. Since Contributors typically cannot upload files in WordPress by default, this elevates their privileges and bypasses intended restrictions. The uploaded files are limited in type, but this can still enable attackers to place malicious scripts or webshells, potentially leading to further compromise. The CVSS 3.1 score is 4.3 (medium), reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, and requiring privileges but no user interaction. No patches or known exploits are currently reported, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed as of November 2025. This flaw affects all plugin versions up to 4.0.4, and exploitation could lead to integrity violations by unauthorized file uploads, though confidentiality and availability impacts are minimal. The vulnerability is significant because it expands the attack surface for authenticated users who normally have limited capabilities, making it a concern for sites with multiple contributors or editors.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the integrity of WordPress sites using the affected plugin. Attackers with Contributor-level access can upload malicious files, potentially leading to website defacement, unauthorized code execution, or pivoting to deeper network compromise. This is particularly concerning for media companies, e-commerce platforms, and public-facing websites that rely on WordPress and this plugin for marketing or customer engagement. The impact on confidentiality and availability is limited but could escalate if attackers leverage uploaded files to deploy webshells or malware. Organizations with multiple content contributors or editors are at higher risk, as these roles can be abused to exploit the vulnerability. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the public disclosure means attackers could develop exploits. Compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations could be affected if the site is compromised and customer data is exposed or manipulated indirectly. Overall, the vulnerability could undermine trust in affected websites and cause reputational damage.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the 'Popup and Slider Builder by Depicter' plugin and its version. Until a patch is released, restrict Contributor-level and higher user roles from uploading files or disable the plugin if feasible. Implement strict file upload validation and monitoring on the server to detect and block unauthorized or suspicious files. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to monitor AJAX routes related to media uploads. Limit the number of users with Contributor or higher privileges and enforce strong authentication and role management policies. Regularly review user activity logs for unusual upload behavior. Once a vendor patch or update is available, apply it promptly. Additionally, consider isolating WordPress instances and using security plugins that monitor file integrity and unauthorized changes. Educate content contributors about the risks of uploading untrusted files and maintain regular backups to enable recovery in case of compromise.