CVE-2025-14114 identifies a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability in the 1180px Shortcodes plugin for WordPress, specifically in the handling of the 'class' shortcode attribute. The vulnerability exists because the plugin fails to properly sanitize and escape user-supplied input before embedding it into web pages. This flaw allows authenticated users with Contributor-level permissions or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages or posts. When other users access these pages, the malicious scripts execute in their browsers, potentially compromising session tokens, redirecting users, or performing unauthorized actions on their behalf. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.1.1 of the plugin. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.4 reflects a medium severity, with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and privileges required at the contributor level. No user interaction is needed for exploitation once the malicious content is injected, and the scope is changed as the vulnerability affects other users beyond the attacker. No patches have been officially released yet, and no known exploits are reported in the wild. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79, which covers improper neutralization of input during web page generation leading to XSS.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data on WordPress sites using the 1180px Shortcodes plugin. Attackers with contributor access can embed malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of site visitors, including administrators and editors, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions such as content modification or privilege escalation. This can result in reputational damage, data breaches, and compliance violations under GDPR if personal data is compromised. The impact is heightened in organizations with multiple contributors or open content submission workflows. Since the vulnerability does not affect availability directly, denial of service is less likely, but the compromise of user trust and data integrity can have severe operational consequences. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as exploit code could be developed rapidly given the medium complexity and network accessibility.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the 1180px Shortcodes plugin and verify the version in use. Until an official patch is released, restrict Contributor-level access to trusted users only and consider temporarily disabling the plugin if feasible. Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious shortcode attribute inputs, particularly those containing script tags or event handlers. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts on affected sites. Conduct regular security reviews of user-generated content and monitor logs for unusual activity indicative of XSS exploitation attempts. Educate content contributors about safe input practices and the risks of injecting untrusted content. Once a patch becomes available, prioritize timely updates. Additionally, consider deploying security plugins that sanitize shortcode inputs or provide enhanced input validation. For long-term resilience, evaluate alternative shortcode plugins with stronger security track records.