CVE-2025-14803 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the NEX-Forms WordPress plugin prior to version 9.1.8. The vulnerability stems from improper sanitization and escaping of certain plugin settings, which can be manipulated by authenticated users with subscriber-level privileges. When configured in a vulnerable manner, these settings allow an attacker to inject persistent malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users visiting the affected site. This can lead to session hijacking, privilege escalation, data theft, or defacement. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.8 reflects a medium severity, with attack vector being network-based, low attack complexity, but requiring privileges (PR:H) and user interaction (UI:R). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be considered a significant risk for sites using this plugin. The vulnerability is particularly relevant for WordPress sites that allow subscriber-level users to interact with NEX-Forms settings, which is common in multi-user environments. The lack of patch links suggests users must upgrade to version 9.1.8 or later once available or apply vendor-provided fixes.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized script execution within trusted websites, potentially leading to credential theft, unauthorized actions on behalf of users, and compromise of sensitive data. Organizations relying on WordPress with NEX-Forms for customer interaction, data collection, or internal workflows may face reputational damage, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR breaches), and operational disruptions. Attackers exploiting this flaw could escalate privileges or pivot to other internal systems. The impact is heightened in sectors with strict data protection requirements such as finance, healthcare, and government. Additionally, the medium severity and requirement for subscriber privileges mean insider threats or compromised low-level accounts could be leveraged. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often weaponize disclosed vulnerabilities rapidly.

1. Upgrade NEX-Forms plugin to version 9.1.8 or later as soon as it becomes available to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2. Restrict subscriber-level user permissions to the minimum necessary, avoiding granting access to form settings or administrative functions. 3. Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with rules to detect and block XSS payloads targeting form inputs and plugin settings. 4. Conduct regular security audits and code reviews of WordPress plugins and configurations to identify and remediate insecure settings. 5. Educate users with subscriber roles about phishing and social engineering risks to reduce the chance of account compromise. 6. Monitor logs for unusual activity related to form submissions or settings changes that could indicate exploitation attempts. 7. Consider isolating critical WordPress instances or using security plugins that enforce content sanitization and output encoding. 8. Maintain up-to-date backups to enable rapid recovery in case of compromise.