CVE-2025-49971 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability (CWE-862) found in the aThemeArt Translations eDS Responsive Menu plugin, affecting versions up to 1.2. This vulnerability arises due to incorrectly configured access control mechanisms, allowing users with limited privileges (requiring at least some level of authentication) to perform actions or access resources that should be restricted. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond authentication and can be exploited remotely over the network (AV:N). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.3 (medium severity), reflecting a low impact on confidentiality, no impact on integrity or availability, and a low attack complexity. Specifically, the vulnerability allows an authenticated user with some privileges (PR:L) to bypass authorization checks, potentially exposing limited confidential information or accessing restricted functionality within the eDS Responsive Menu plugin. However, it does not allow unauthenticated access, nor does it enable modification or disruption of the system. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been published yet. The vulnerability is relevant primarily to websites or applications using the eDS Responsive Menu plugin, which is typically deployed in content management systems or web platforms that rely on aThemeArt Translations products for responsive menu functionality.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability depends largely on the adoption of the eDS Responsive Menu plugin within their web infrastructure. If exploited, an attacker with authenticated access could bypass certain authorization controls, potentially gaining access to restricted menu configurations or sensitive translation data. While the confidentiality impact is limited, unauthorized access could lead to information disclosure risks, especially if the menu controls access to sensitive navigation or backend features. This could facilitate further reconnaissance or privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability does not directly impact system integrity or availability, so it is unlikely to cause service disruption or data tampering on its own. However, in regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, or government within Europe, even limited unauthorized access could violate compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR) and damage organizational reputation. The medium severity rating suggests that while the threat is not critical, it should be addressed promptly to prevent potential misuse, especially in environments with multiple authenticated users or complex access hierarchies.

1. Immediate mitigation should include auditing user roles and permissions within the affected systems to ensure that only trusted users have authenticated access to the eDS Responsive Menu plugin features. 2. Implement strict role-based access control (RBAC) policies to minimize the number of users with elevated privileges that could exploit this vulnerability. 3. Monitor web application logs for unusual access patterns or attempts to access restricted menu configurations. 4. If possible, temporarily disable or restrict access to the eDS Responsive Menu plugin until a security patch is released by aThemeArt Translations. 5. Engage with the vendor or community to obtain or request a security patch addressing the missing authorization checks. 6. Conduct penetration testing focused on authorization bypass scenarios to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in other plugins or components. 7. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the menu plugin endpoints. 8. Educate administrators and developers about the importance of proper authorization checks in web components to prevent recurrence.