CVE-2025-14393 identifies a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Wpik WordPress Basic Ajax Form plugin, which is widely used to create AJAX-based forms on WordPress websites. The vulnerability exists due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically through the 'dname' parameter. This parameter is not adequately sanitized or escaped before being stored and rendered, allowing an authenticated attacker with Contributor-level access or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. When any user accesses a page containing the injected script, the malicious code executes in their browser context. This can lead to theft of session cookies, unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.0 of the plugin. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, requiring privileges (Contributor or above), no user interaction, and a scope change due to impact on other users. No patches or official fixes are currently available, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which covers improper input neutralization leading to XSS. The issue highlights the importance of rigorous input validation and output encoding in web applications, especially those handling user-generated content. Given the plugin’s integration with WordPress, a widely used CMS, the potential attack surface is significant, particularly for websites that allow multiple contributors to publish content.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to websites using the Wpik WordPress Basic Ajax Form plugin. Exploitation could lead to session hijacking, unauthorized actions, defacement, or distribution of malware via injected scripts. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to data breaches, and disrupt business operations. Since the attack requires Contributor-level access, the threat is more relevant in environments with multiple content creators or less stringent access controls. The scope change in the CVSS vector indicates that the impact extends beyond the attacker’s privileges, affecting other users and potentially administrators. Organizations in sectors with high web presence such as media, e-commerce, education, and government are particularly at risk. Additionally, GDPR implications arise if personal data is compromised through such attacks, potentially leading to regulatory penalties. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often develop exploits after public disclosure. The medium severity score suggests prioritizing remediation but not an emergency response unless combined with other vulnerabilities or active exploitation.

1. Restrict Contributor-level access strictly to trusted users and review user permissions regularly to minimize the risk of malicious input. 2. Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block common XSS payloads targeting the 'dname' parameter or AJAX form submissions. 3. Apply manual input validation and output encoding in the plugin’s source code if immediate patching is not possible; sanitize the 'dname' parameter to remove or encode HTML and script tags. 4. Monitor logs and user activity for unusual behavior indicative of attempted XSS exploitation. 5. Educate content contributors about the risks of injecting untrusted content and enforce content review workflows before publishing. 6. Keep WordPress core and all plugins updated; monitor the vendor’s announcements for patches or updates addressing this vulnerability. 7. Consider disabling or replacing the Wpik WordPress Basic Ajax Form plugin with alternatives that follow secure coding practices. 8. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on web application vulnerabilities including XSS.