CVE-2025-14109 is a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified in the AH Shortcodes plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting all versions up to and including 1.0.2. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79). It allows authenticated attackers with Contributor-level privileges or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code through the 'column' shortcode attribute. Because the plugin fails to adequately sanitize and escape this input, the malicious script is stored in the WordPress database and executed in the context of any user who views the affected page. This can lead to session hijacking, privilege escalation, defacement, or distribution of malware. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and privileges required but no user interaction needed. The vulnerability has a scope change, affecting confidentiality and integrity but not availability. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the risk remains significant due to the common use of WordPress and the plugin in various websites. The lack of an official patch at the time of reporting necessitates immediate mitigation efforts by site administrators.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to websites using the AH Shortcodes plugin on WordPress. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized script execution, resulting in theft of user credentials, session tokens, or other sensitive information, potentially compromising user accounts and internal systems. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to data breaches, and violate GDPR requirements concerning data protection and breach notification. Since Contributor-level access is required, insider threats or compromised lower-privilege accounts could be leveraged to exploit this vulnerability. The impact is heightened for organizations relying on WordPress for customer-facing portals, intranets, or content management, especially those in sectors like finance, healthcare, or government where data sensitivity is paramount. Additionally, the stored nature of the XSS means persistent risk until remediated, affecting all visitors to compromised pages.

1. Immediately audit user roles and restrict Contributor-level access to trusted personnel only, minimizing the risk of malicious shortcode injection. 2. Implement strict input validation and output escaping for shortcode attributes at the application or web server level using custom filters or security plugins that sanitize inputs before storage and escape outputs before rendering. 3. Monitor WordPress pages and posts for suspicious shortcode usage or unexpected script tags, employing automated scanning tools where possible. 4. Disable or remove the AH Shortcodes plugin if it is not essential to reduce the attack surface. 5. Stay updated with vendor announcements for official patches and apply them promptly once available. 6. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. 7. Conduct regular security training for users with editing privileges to recognize and avoid introducing malicious content. 8. Consider implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) that can detect and block XSS payloads targeting shortcode parameters.