CVE-2025-14427 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) found in the WordPress plugin 'Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users, and Prevents Security Breaches' developed by paultgoodchild. The vulnerability arises because the plugin fails to perform a proper capability check when processing the 'MfaEmailDisable' action. This action controls the global Email-based Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) setting for the WordPress site. Due to this missing authorization check, any authenticated user with at least Subscriber-level privileges can invoke this action to disable Email 2FA for all users on the site. Since Subscribers are typically low-privileged users, this vulnerability significantly lowers the barrier for attackers to weaken site-wide security controls. The attack vector is network-based (remote), requiring only low privileges and no user interaction, making it relatively easy to exploit. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or availability directly but compromises the integrity of security settings by allowing unauthorized modification. The plugin versions affected include all versions up to and including 21.0.9. No patches or exploit code are currently publicly available, and no known active exploitation has been reported. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.3 (medium severity), reflecting the limited but meaningful impact on integrity with low attack complexity and privileges required.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk of weakening the security posture of WordPress sites that rely on the Shield plugin for bot blocking and user protection. Disabling Email 2FA globally increases the likelihood of account compromise through credential theft or phishing, as attackers can bypass a critical second authentication factor. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, potential privilege escalation, and further exploitation within the network. Organizations in sectors with high regulatory requirements for data protection (e.g., finance, healthcare, government) may face compliance risks if 2FA controls are bypassed. The impact is particularly significant for organizations that allow Subscriber-level user registrations or have multi-user WordPress environments. Although the vulnerability does not directly affect availability or confidentiality, the indirect consequences of compromised accounts can be severe, including data breaches and reputational damage.

European organizations should immediately assess their use of the Shield plugin and verify the plugin version in use. Since no official patch links are currently available, organizations should consider the following mitigations: 1) Restrict Subscriber-level user registrations or reduce the number of users with Subscriber or higher privileges to trusted individuals only. 2) Implement additional monitoring and alerting for changes to 2FA settings or security configurations within WordPress. 3) Use Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) to detect and block unauthorized requests attempting to invoke the 'MfaEmailDisable' action. 4) Temporarily disable or replace the Shield plugin with alternative security plugins that enforce proper authorization checks. 5) Enforce strong password policies and consider alternative 2FA methods that are not controlled by this plugin setting. 6) Stay updated with vendor advisories and apply patches promptly once available. 7) Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on privilege escalation and authorization bypass scenarios.