CVE-2025-14050 is an SQL Injection vulnerability identified in the uxl Design Import/Export plugin for WordPress, which manages styles, templates, template parts, and patterns. The flaw exists in all versions up to and including 2.2 and arises from insufficient escaping and lack of proper preparation of SQL queries when processing user-supplied parameters during XML file imports. Specifically, authenticated users with administrator privileges can craft malicious XML files that append additional SQL commands to existing queries. This improper neutralization of special elements (CWE-89) enables attackers to extract sensitive information from the backend database without affecting data integrity or availability. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 4.9, reflecting medium severity, with an attack vector of network (remote), low attack complexity, and requiring high privileges but no user interaction. No public exploits are known at this time, but the risk remains significant due to the potential exposure of confidential data. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in WordPress plugins, particularly those handling import/export functionalities that parse external files. The absence of patches at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate risk mitigation by administrators.

For European organizations, the primary impact is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data stored in WordPress databases, including customer information, internal content, or configuration details. Since exploitation requires administrator-level access, the threat is mainly from insider threats or compromised admin accounts. However, once exploited, attackers can leverage the vulnerability to extract confidential data, which could lead to data breaches, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations), reputational damage, and financial penalties. The vulnerability does not allow data modification or denial of service, limiting its impact to confidentiality. Organizations heavily reliant on WordPress for content management and digital presence, especially those using the affected plugin, face increased risk. The medium severity score reflects a moderate but non-trivial threat, emphasizing the need for vigilance in plugin management and access control.

1. Immediately restrict administrator access to trusted personnel only and enforce strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA). 2. Monitor and audit all XML import activities within WordPress to detect unusual or unauthorized import attempts. 3. Until an official patch is released, disable or uninstall the uxl Design Import/Export plugin if feasible, or restrict its usage to isolated environments. 4. Validate and sanitize all XML files before import using external tools or scripts to detect malicious payloads. 5. Regularly update WordPress core and plugins to the latest versions once patches addressing this vulnerability become available. 6. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns in XML import requests. 7. Conduct periodic security training for administrators to recognize social engineering attempts that could lead to credential compromise. 8. Implement database access controls and encryption to minimize data exposure even if SQL injection occurs.