CVE-2025-14482 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) found in the Crush.pics Image Optimizer plugin for WordPress, which is widely used for image compression and optimization. The flaw exists because multiple functions within the plugin lack proper capability checks, allowing any authenticated user with Subscriber-level privileges or higher to modify critical plugin settings. These settings include disabling the auto-compression feature and altering image quality parameters, which can degrade the intended performance of the plugin and potentially affect website content presentation. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.8.7. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.3 (medium), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based, requires low privileges, no user interaction, and impacts integrity but not confidentiality or availability. The absence of proper authorization checks means that even low-privileged users can escalate their influence over the plugin’s behavior, which could be leveraged in multi-user WordPress environments to disrupt image optimization workflows or degrade user experience. No patches or exploit code are currently publicly available, and no known active exploitation has been reported. However, the vulnerability poses a risk to website integrity and operational consistency, especially for organizations relying on optimized images for performance and SEO.

For European organizations, this vulnerability primarily threatens the integrity of website content management systems using the Crush.pics plugin. Altered image compression settings could lead to poorer image quality or increased page load times, negatively impacting user experience, brand reputation, and SEO rankings. While it does not directly expose sensitive data or cause service outages, the ability for low-privileged users to modify plugin settings could be exploited in insider threat scenarios or by attackers who have compromised low-level accounts. E-commerce, media, and marketing websites that rely heavily on optimized images for performance and customer engagement are particularly at risk. Additionally, organizations subject to strict content integrity and compliance requirements may face regulatory scrutiny if unauthorized changes go undetected. The vulnerability’s exploitation could also serve as a foothold for further attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities or misconfigurations.

European organizations should immediately audit WordPress user roles and permissions to ensure that Subscriber-level accounts are tightly controlled and monitored. Restrict plugin management capabilities to trusted administrators only. Update the Crush.pics plugin to a version that addresses this vulnerability once available. In the absence of a patch, consider temporarily disabling the plugin or restricting access to its settings via custom code or security plugins that enforce capability checks. Implement monitoring and alerting for changes to plugin settings and image optimization parameters. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting unauthorized modification attempts. Conduct regular security reviews of WordPress installations and enforce the principle of least privilege for all user accounts. Additionally, maintain backups of plugin configurations and website content to enable quick restoration if unauthorized changes occur.