CVE-2025-55716 is a security vulnerability classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) affecting the VeronaLabs WP Statistics plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability arises from improperly configured access control mechanisms within the plugin, allowing users with limited privileges (requiring at least some level of authentication) to perform actions or access functionality that should be restricted. Specifically, the vulnerability affects all versions of WP Statistics up to and including version 14.15. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.3, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N) reveals that the vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network with low attack complexity, requires privileges (authenticated user), no user interaction, and impacts integrity but not confidentiality or availability. The missing authorization flaw means that authenticated users with limited permissions might escalate their privileges or manipulate statistical data or configuration settings that should be off-limits, potentially undermining the integrity of website analytics data. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, indicating that the vulnerability is newly disclosed and may not yet be widely exploited. The vulnerability does not affect confidentiality or availability directly but can lead to data integrity issues within the WP Statistics plugin, which is widely used for website analytics on WordPress sites.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant depending on their reliance on WP Statistics for website analytics and decision-making. Manipulation or unauthorized modification of analytics data can lead to incorrect business insights, misinformed marketing strategies, and potential compliance issues if data integrity is a regulatory requirement. While the vulnerability does not directly expose sensitive data or cause service outages, the integrity compromise could indirectly affect operational decisions and reporting accuracy. Organizations that use WP Statistics in sectors with strict data governance or regulatory oversight (such as finance, healthcare, or public sector entities) may face reputational damage or compliance risks if unauthorized changes to analytics data go undetected. Additionally, attackers exploiting this flaw could potentially use the compromised plugin as a foothold to explore further privilege escalation or lateral movement within the WordPress environment, especially if combined with other vulnerabilities or weak configurations.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should first verify if they are using the WP Statistics plugin and identify the version in use. Immediate steps include restricting access to the WordPress admin area to trusted users only and reviewing user roles and permissions to ensure minimal privilege principles are enforced. Organizations should monitor for updates or patches from VeronaLabs and apply them promptly once available. In the interim, consider disabling or removing the WP Statistics plugin if analytics data integrity is critical and cannot be risked. Implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block suspicious access patterns targeting WP Statistics endpoints can provide an additional layer of defense. Regular auditing of analytics data for anomalies and integrity checks can help detect exploitation attempts early. Finally, organizations should ensure that their WordPress installations and plugins follow best security practices, including strong authentication mechanisms, timely updates, and limiting plugin usage to trusted sources.