CVE-2025-14129 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Like DisLike Voting plugin for WordPress, developed by wasiul99. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically involving the $_SERVER['PHP_SELF'] variable. This variable is used in the plugin without adequate sanitization or output escaping, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web pages. Because the vulnerability is reflected, the malicious script is embedded in a crafted URL that, when clicked by a victim, causes the injected script to execute in the victim's browser context. This can lead to theft of session cookies, redirection to malicious sites, or other client-side attacks. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.0.1 of the plugin. It requires no authentication but does require user interaction (clicking a malicious link). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.1, reflecting a medium severity level with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction needed, and impacts on confidentiality and integrity but not availability. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be considered exploitable. The reflected XSS nature means it can be used in phishing campaigns or to bypass same-origin policies, posing risks to site visitors and potentially site administrators if session cookies are compromised. The plugin is commonly used on WordPress sites to provide voting functionality, making it a relevant target for attackers aiming to compromise websites or their users.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data. Attackers can exploit the reflected XSS to steal authentication cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, or conduct phishing attacks by injecting malicious scripts. This can lead to unauthorized access, data leakage, defacement of websites, or reputational damage. Organizations relying on the Like DisLike Voting plugin on their WordPress sites may face increased risk of targeted attacks, especially if their users are less security-aware. The vulnerability does not directly impact availability but can indirectly cause service disruption through defacement or loss of user trust. Given the widespread use of WordPress in Europe, especially among SMEs and content-driven websites, the potential attack surface is significant. Additionally, compliance with GDPR requires organizations to protect user data, and exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to data breaches and regulatory penalties.

1. Immediately update the Like DisLike Voting plugin to a patched version once available from the vendor. Monitor vendor announcements for patches. 2. In the absence of an official patch, implement input validation and output encoding on the $_SERVER['PHP_SELF'] variable in the plugin code or via custom code to neutralize malicious input. 3. Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block reflected XSS attacks targeting the affected plugin endpoints. 4. Educate users and administrators about the risks of clicking suspicious links, especially those purporting to interact with voting or feedback features. 5. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans on WordPress sites to detect vulnerable plugin versions. 6. Consider disabling or replacing the Like DisLike Voting plugin with alternative solutions that follow secure coding practices if patching is delayed. 7. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. 8. Monitor web server logs for suspicious requests containing script payloads targeting the plugin. These targeted mitigations go beyond generic advice by focusing on plugin-specific controls and user awareness.