CVE-2025-14867 is a path traversal vulnerability classified under CWE-22 found in the liangshao Flashcard plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 0.9. The vulnerability arises from improper validation of the 'source' attribute within the 'flashcard' shortcode, allowing authenticated users with contributor-level or higher privileges to manipulate the pathname and access files outside the intended directory. This flaw enables attackers to read arbitrary files on the web server, potentially exposing sensitive data such as configuration files, credentials, or other private information stored on the server. The attack vector is remote over the network, requiring only low complexity and no user interaction beyond having contributor access. The vulnerability does not impact integrity or availability but poses a significant confidentiality risk. The CVSS v3.1 score of 6.5 reflects these factors, indicating a medium severity level. No public exploits have been reported, but the vulnerability's presence in a popular CMS plugin increases the risk of exploitation once a proof-of-concept is developed. The lack of an official patch at the time of publication necessitates immediate mitigation steps by administrators. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for multi-user WordPress environments where contributors have editing permissions, as it expands the attack surface beyond administrators. Given WordPress's widespread use in Europe, this vulnerability could affect numerous organizations if the plugin is installed and contributor accounts are active.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive server-side information, including configuration files, database credentials, or proprietary data, compromising confidentiality. Organizations relying on WordPress sites with the Flashcard plugin installed and multiple contributors are at higher risk. Exposure of sensitive data could facilitate further attacks such as privilege escalation, lateral movement, or targeted data theft. The vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability but can undermine trust and compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR if sensitive personal data is exposed. The medium severity rating indicates a moderate but significant risk, especially for organizations with contributor-level users who may be less trusted or whose accounts could be compromised. Attackers exploiting this flaw could gain insights into the server environment, increasing the likelihood of subsequent attacks. The impact is heightened in sectors with strict data confidentiality requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and government institutions across Europe.

Immediate mitigation should include auditing and restricting contributor-level access to trusted users only, minimizing the number of accounts with editing privileges. Administrators should disable or remove the liangshao Flashcard plugin until an official patch is released. Implement strict input validation and filtering on the 'source' attribute if custom modifications are possible. Monitor web server logs and WordPress shortcode usage for unusual or unauthorized file access attempts. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting path traversal patterns to block exploitation attempts. Regularly update WordPress core and plugins to the latest versions once patches addressing this vulnerability become available. Conduct security awareness training for contributors to recognize and report suspicious activity. Consider isolating WordPress instances or running them with least privilege file system permissions to limit the impact of potential file disclosures. Finally, perform routine security assessments and vulnerability scans to detect similar issues proactively.