CVE-2025-14370 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) affecting the Quote Comments plugin for WordPress, maintained by metodiew. The flaw exists in the quotecomments_add_admin function, where authorization checks are absent, allowing authenticated users with minimal privileges (Subscriber-level or above) to update arbitrary plugin options by manipulating the 'action' parameter. This lack of proper access control means that users who should not have administrative capabilities can alter plugin configurations, potentially leading to unauthorized changes in site behavior or security posture. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 3.0.0. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.3 (medium severity), reflecting a network attack vector with low attack complexity, no privileges required beyond Subscriber access, no user interaction needed, and an impact limited to integrity (no confidentiality or availability impact). No known exploits are currently in the wild, and no official patches have been released as of the publication date (January 7, 2026). The vulnerability is significant because WordPress is widely used across Europe, and plugins often extend site functionality, making unauthorized configuration changes a potential vector for further exploitation or site misconfiguration.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the integrity of WordPress sites using the Quote Comments plugin. Attackers with Subscriber-level access—which can be obtained through compromised credentials, weak password policies, or social engineering—can modify plugin options, potentially enabling further attacks such as privilege escalation, persistent backdoors, or content manipulation. While confidentiality and availability are not directly impacted, the integrity compromise can undermine trust in affected websites, damage brand reputation, and facilitate subsequent attacks. Organizations relying on WordPress for customer engagement, content publishing, or e-commerce could face operational disruptions or data integrity issues. The risk is heightened in sectors with high regulatory scrutiny around data integrity and website security, such as finance, healthcare, and government. Additionally, the widespread use of WordPress in countries like Germany, the UK, France, and the Netherlands increases the likelihood of exposure in these regions.

Until an official patch is released, organizations should implement the following mitigations: 1) Restrict Subscriber-level permissions strictly and audit user roles to ensure no unnecessary privileges are granted. 2) Employ WordPress security plugins or custom code to enforce authorization checks on plugin option updates, particularly for the Quote Comments plugin. 3) Monitor logs and plugin option changes for unusual or unauthorized modifications, setting up alerts for suspicious activity. 4) Harden WordPress installations by enforcing strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users with access to the admin dashboard. 5) Consider temporarily disabling or removing the Quote Comments plugin if it is not essential to reduce attack surface. 6) Educate site administrators and users about phishing and credential security to prevent account compromise. 7) Stay informed about vendor updates and apply patches promptly once available.