CVE-2025-14454 identifies a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the Image Slider by Ays- Responsive Slider and Carousel WordPress plugin, versions up to and including 2.7.0. The vulnerability stems from missing or incorrect nonce validation on the plugin's bulk delete feature, which is intended to allow administrators to remove multiple sliders simultaneously. Nonces are security tokens used in WordPress to verify that requests are intentional and originate from authorized users. Without proper nonce validation, an attacker can craft a malicious web request that, when executed by an authenticated administrator (e.g., by clicking a specially crafted link), causes the deletion of arbitrary sliders without the administrator's explicit consent. This attack vector requires no prior authentication by the attacker but does require user interaction from an administrator-level user. The vulnerability impacts the integrity of the website's content by enabling unauthorized deletion of slider elements, which could disrupt site appearance or functionality. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.3, reflecting a medium severity due to the lack of impact on confidentiality or availability and the requirement for user interaction. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be addressed promptly. The plugin is widely used in WordPress sites for responsive image sliders and carousels, making this a relevant threat for many websites relying on this functionality.

For European organizations, this vulnerability primarily threatens the integrity of website content by allowing unauthorized deletion of image sliders, which can degrade user experience, damage brand reputation, and potentially disrupt marketing or e-commerce activities relying on visual content. While it does not directly compromise sensitive data or system availability, the manipulation of site content can indirectly affect trust and operational continuity. Organizations with WordPress-based websites using this plugin, especially those in sectors like retail, media, and services where visual presentation is critical, may face reputational harm and customer dissatisfaction. Additionally, attackers could leverage this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain, for example, by removing sliders that contain important announcements or security warnings, thereby increasing the risk of further exploitation. The requirement for administrator interaction limits the attack scope but does not eliminate risk, particularly in environments with less stringent user training or awareness. Given the widespread use of WordPress across Europe, the impact could be significant if not mitigated.

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should first monitor for and apply any official patches or updates released by the plugin vendor addressing CVE-2025-14454. Until a patch is available, administrators should avoid clicking on suspicious links and be trained to recognize potential CSRF attack vectors. Implementing strict user role and permission management can reduce the number of users with administrative privileges, limiting exposure. Employing web application firewalls (WAFs) with CSRF protection rules can help detect and block forged requests targeting the bulk delete functionality. Additionally, security teams should audit plugin usage and consider disabling or replacing the vulnerable plugin with alternatives that follow secure coding practices. Regular backups of website content, including sliders, will facilitate recovery in case of unauthorized deletions. Finally, enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) for administrator accounts can reduce the risk of session hijacking that might compound the impact of this vulnerability.