CVE-2025-14357 is a vulnerability identified in the Mega Store Woocommerce theme for WordPress, specifically in the setup_widgets() function located in core/includes/importer/whizzie.php. The root cause is a missing authorization check (CWE-862), which means that the function does not verify whether the user has the appropriate capabilities before allowing modifications. This flaw enables any authenticated user with at least Subscriber-level privileges to create arbitrary pages and alter site settings, actions normally restricted to higher privileged roles such as Administrators. Since WordPress roles like Subscriber are commonly assigned to users with minimal permissions, this vulnerability significantly lowers the barrier for unauthorized site changes. The vulnerability affects all versions of the Mega Store Woocommerce theme up to and including version 5.9. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.3 (medium), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based, requires no privileges or user interaction, and impacts integrity but not confidentiality or availability. No patches or official fixes have been published yet, and no known exploits have been observed in the wild. However, the potential for misuse includes unauthorized content injection, site defacement, or manipulation of e-commerce settings, which can damage business operations and reputation. The vulnerability is particularly relevant for e-commerce sites using this theme, which may be targeted by attackers seeking to exploit weak authorization controls.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized modifications of e-commerce websites, including the creation of fraudulent pages or alteration of site settings that affect customer experience and transactional integrity. Such unauthorized changes can result in reputational damage, loss of customer trust, and potential financial losses due to disrupted sales or fraudulent activities. Since the vulnerability requires only Subscriber-level access, attackers could exploit compromised or weak user accounts to escalate their impact. This is especially critical for businesses relying on WooCommerce for online sales, including retail, hospitality, and service sectors prevalent across Europe. Additionally, unauthorized page creation could be used to inject malicious content or phishing pages targeting European customers, potentially leading to broader security incidents. The medium severity indicates a moderate risk but should not be underestimated given the widespread use of WordPress and WooCommerce in Europe.

European organizations should immediately audit user roles and permissions within their WordPress installations to ensure that Subscriber-level accounts are tightly controlled and monitored. Implement strict password policies and multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of account compromise. Until an official patch is released, consider applying custom code to add capability checks to the setup_widgets() function or disable the vulnerable functionality if feasible. Regularly monitor website content and settings for unauthorized changes, using file integrity monitoring and security plugins tailored for WordPress. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the theme’s vulnerable endpoints. Educate site administrators and users about the risks of privilege escalation and encourage prompt reporting of unusual site behavior. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups to enable rapid recovery in case of exploitation.