CVE-2025-14973 is a SQL injection vulnerability identified in the Recipe Card Blocks Lite WordPress plugin, specifically in versions prior to 3.4.13. The root cause is the plugin's failure to properly sanitize and escape a parameter before incorporating it into an SQL query. This flaw allows users with contributor-level privileges or higher to craft malicious input that alters the intended SQL command, potentially exposing sensitive database information. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality of data but does not impact integrity or availability, as the CVSS vector indicates no integrity or availability loss. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L), but requires privileges (PR:H) and no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. Although no public exploits are currently known, the presence of this vulnerability in a widely used WordPress plugin poses a significant risk if left unpatched. The plugin is commonly used to display recipe cards on WordPress sites, which may contain user-generated content, making it a target for attackers seeking to extract database information. The vulnerability was reserved in December 2025 and published in January 2026, with a CVSS score of 6.8, categorized as medium severity.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data stored within WordPress databases, including user information, content, and potentially credentials if stored insecurely. Since exploitation requires contributor-level access, the risk is higher in environments where multiple users have elevated privileges or where account compromise is possible. The confidentiality breach could damage organizational reputation, violate data protection regulations such as GDPR, and lead to compliance penalties. Although the vulnerability does not allow data modification or service disruption, the exposure of sensitive data is critical, especially for organizations handling personal or proprietary information. Websites relying on Recipe Card Blocks Lite for content presentation, particularly in sectors like food blogging, e-commerce, or hospitality, may be targeted. The medium severity rating suggests a moderate but actionable risk, emphasizing the need for timely patching to prevent potential exploitation.

European organizations should immediately update the Recipe Card Blocks Lite plugin to version 3.4.13 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Until the update is applied, restrict contributor and higher privileges to trusted users only and audit existing user roles to minimize exposure. Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with SQL injection detection rules tailored to WordPress environments to provide an additional layer of defense. Regularly monitor WordPress logs for unusual database query patterns or access attempts indicative of exploitation attempts. Employ the principle of least privilege for WordPress user roles and consider multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of account compromise. Conduct security awareness training for content contributors to recognize phishing or social engineering attempts that could lead to privilege escalation. Finally, maintain regular backups of WordPress databases and files to enable recovery in case of an incident.