CVE-2025-14867 is a path traversal vulnerability categorized under CWE-22 found in the liangshao Flashcard plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 0.9. The vulnerability arises due to improper validation of the 'source' attribute in the 'flashcard' shortcode, allowing authenticated users with contributor-level permissions or higher to manipulate the pathname and access files outside the intended directory scope. This flaw enables attackers to read arbitrary files on the web server, potentially exposing sensitive configuration files, credentials, or other confidential data stored on the server. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and can be exploited remotely over the network. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5, reflecting a medium severity with a network attack vector, low attack complexity, and requiring privileges but no user interaction. The impact is primarily on confidentiality, with no direct effect on integrity or availability. No patches or fixes have been published yet, and no known exploits have been observed in the wild. The vulnerability is significant because contributor-level access is commonly granted to trusted users, making it a serious risk if such accounts are compromised or misused. The plugin’s widespread use in WordPress sites increases the attack surface, especially for organizations relying on this plugin for educational or content delivery purposes.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored on web servers running WordPress with the vulnerable Flashcard plugin. Confidential data such as configuration files, database credentials, or private documents could be exposed, leading to potential data breaches and compliance violations under GDPR. The requirement for contributor-level access limits the attack scope to insiders or compromised accounts, but insider threats and account takeovers are realistic risks. Exposure of sensitive information can facilitate further attacks such as privilege escalation, lateral movement, or targeted phishing. Organizations in sectors with strict data protection requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and government, could face significant reputational and regulatory consequences. The medium severity score indicates a moderate risk, but the ease of exploitation by authenticated users and the potential for sensitive data leakage warrant prompt attention.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Immediately audit and restrict contributor-level access to trusted personnel only, minimizing the number of users with such privileges. 2) Monitor and log usage of the 'flashcard' shortcode and any unusual file access patterns on WordPress sites. 3) Disable or remove the liangshao Flashcard plugin if it is not essential to reduce the attack surface. 4) Apply principle of least privilege to WordPress user roles and regularly review user permissions. 5) Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block path traversal attempts targeting the 'source' attribute. 6) Stay alert for official patches or updates from the plugin vendor and apply them promptly once available. 7) Conduct regular security assessments and vulnerability scans focusing on WordPress plugins. 8) Educate content contributors about security best practices and the risks of privilege misuse. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control, monitoring, and proactive plugin management.