CVE-2025-14453 identifies a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the My Album Gallery plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 1.0.4. The flaw exists due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically through the 'style_css' shortcode attribute. Authenticated users with Contributor-level access or higher can exploit this vulnerability by injecting arbitrary JavaScript code into pages. Because the malicious script is stored, it executes every time a user accesses the compromised page, potentially affecting administrators, editors, and visitors. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and lack of proper output escaping, allowing malicious payloads to persist in the plugin's data storage. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.4, indicating medium severity, with an attack vector over the network, low attack complexity, privileges required at the Contributor level, no user interaction needed, and a scope change due to the impact on other users. While no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk to websites using this plugin, especially those with multiple authenticated users. The exploitation can lead to partial confidentiality and integrity loss, such as session hijacking, defacement, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of other users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for WordPress sites that allow multiple contributors or editors to add content, as it expands the attack surface. The lack of an official patch at the time of reporting necessitates immediate mitigation steps to reduce risk.

For European organizations, this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized script execution on their WordPress sites, compromising user sessions, stealing sensitive data, or defacing websites. Organizations relying on My Album Gallery for image galleries and allowing Contributor-level access to multiple users are at heightened risk. The attack could undermine trust in public-facing websites, disrupt business operations, and lead to data breaches involving personal or corporate information. Given the widespread use of WordPress across Europe, especially in small and medium enterprises and public sector websites, the impact could be broad. Additionally, sectors with strict data protection regulations, such as finance, healthcare, and government, may face compliance risks if exploited. The vulnerability's ability to affect multiple users via stored XSS increases the potential damage scope, making it a significant concern for collaborative environments. Although no active exploits are known, the medium severity score and ease of exploitation by authenticated users warrant proactive measures to prevent compromise.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the My Album Gallery plugin and the affected versions. Until an official patch is released, restrict Contributor-level and higher privileges to trusted users only, minimizing the number of accounts that can exploit this vulnerability. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block malicious payloads targeting the 'style_css' shortcode attribute. Employ custom input validation and output escaping mechanisms if possible, such as sanitizing shortcode attributes before saving or rendering. Monitor website logs and user activity for unusual behavior indicative of XSS exploitation attempts. Educate content contributors about the risks of injecting untrusted code and enforce strict content submission policies. Regularly back up website data to enable quick restoration if an attack occurs. Stay updated with vendor advisories and apply patches promptly once available. Consider isolating or disabling the plugin if it is not essential to reduce the attack surface.