CVE-2025-14118: CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') in callumalden Starred Review
The Starred Review plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the PHP_SELF variable in all versions up to, and including, 1.4.2 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2025-14118 is a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability in the callumalden Starred Review WordPress plugin, affecting all versions up to 1.4.2. The issue stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically via the PHP_SELF variable. This allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of a victim's browser when they interact with a crafted URL. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.1, reflecting a medium severity level with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and impacts confidentiality and integrity but not availability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation can lead to execution of arbitrary scripts in the context of the victim's browser, potentially resulting in information disclosure or manipulation of web content. The vulnerability does not affect system availability. Since exploitation requires user interaction (clicking a crafted link), the risk is moderated but still significant for targeted phishing or social engineering attacks.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, users should consider disabling or removing the Starred Review plugin if feasible. Additionally, applying web application firewall (WAF) rules that detect and block reflected XSS attempts targeting the PHP_SELF variable may provide temporary mitigation.
CVE-2025-14118: CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') in callumalden Starred Review
Description
The Starred Review plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the PHP_SELF variable in all versions up to, and including, 1.4.2 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2025-14118 is a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability in the callumalden Starred Review WordPress plugin, affecting all versions up to 1.4.2. The issue stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically via the PHP_SELF variable. This allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of a victim's browser when they interact with a crafted URL. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.1, reflecting a medium severity level with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and impacts confidentiality and integrity but not availability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation can lead to execution of arbitrary scripts in the context of the victim's browser, potentially resulting in information disclosure or manipulation of web content. The vulnerability does not affect system availability. Since exploitation requires user interaction (clicking a crafted link), the risk is moderated but still significant for targeted phishing or social engineering attacks.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, users should consider disabling or removing the Starred Review plugin if feasible. Additionally, applying web application firewall (WAF) rules that detect and block reflected XSS attempts targeting the PHP_SELF variable may provide temporary mitigation.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- Wordfence
- Date Reserved
- 2025-12-05T15:28:21.217Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 695e4c137349d0379d7d57a9
Added to database: 1/7/2026, 12:05:39 PM
Last enriched: 4/9/2026, 9:12:40 PM
Last updated: 5/7/2026, 11:24:19 PM
Views: 100
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