CVE-2025-60086 identifies a missing authorization vulnerability in the Matt WP Voting Contest WordPress plugin, affecting versions up to and including 5.8. The vulnerability arises from incorrectly configured access control security levels within the plugin, which fails to properly verify whether a user is authorized to perform certain actions. This flaw can be exploited by attackers to bypass restrictions and execute unauthorized operations related to voting contests managed by the plugin. Such operations might include manipulating votes, altering contest parameters, or accessing sensitive contest data. The vulnerability does not require prior authentication or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the nature of the vulnerability suggests it could be leveraged by attackers to compromise the integrity and availability of contest data, potentially damaging the reputation and trustworthiness of affected websites. The vulnerability was reserved in September 2025 and published in December 2025, but no CVSS score or patch links have been provided at this time, indicating that remediation may still be pending or in progress. The plugin is used primarily in WordPress environments, which are widely deployed across various sectors, including marketing, entertainment, and community engagement platforms.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to websites utilizing the WP Voting Contest plugin for user engagement and marketing campaigns. Unauthorized manipulation of voting contests can lead to skewed results, loss of user trust, and reputational damage. Confidentiality may be compromised if sensitive contest data is exposed or altered. Integrity is directly affected as attackers can change contest outcomes or parameters without authorization. Availability could also be impacted if attackers disrupt contest functionality, potentially causing denial of service or degraded user experience. Organizations relying on these contests for customer interaction or promotional activities may suffer financial and brand damage. Additionally, regulatory compliance concerns may arise if personal data involved in the contests is mishandled due to the vulnerability. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation increases the threat level, making it easier for attackers to target vulnerable sites at scale.

Organizations should immediately inventory their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the WP Voting Contest plugin and its version. Until an official patch is released, administrators should restrict access to the plugin’s administrative and contest management interfaces using web application firewalls (WAFs) or IP whitelisting. Review and tighten WordPress user roles and permissions to limit who can interact with the plugin. Monitor logs for unusual activity related to contest management endpoints. Consider disabling or removing the plugin if it is not essential. Once a patch becomes available, apply it promptly following testing in a staging environment. Additionally, implement security best practices such as regular backups, intrusion detection systems, and continuous monitoring to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. Engage with the plugin vendor or security community for updates and advisories. Finally, educate site administrators about the risks of unauthorized access and the importance of timely patching.