CVE-2025-66140 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability identified in the merkulove Uper for Elementor WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions up to and including 1.0.5. The vulnerability arises from incorrectly configured access control security levels, which allow attackers with low privileges (PR:L) to perform unauthorized actions without requiring user interaction (UI:N). The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), meaning exploitation can occur remotely over the internet. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality and integrity to a limited extent (C:L/I:L) but does not affect availability (A:N). This suggests that an attacker could potentially access or modify certain data or settings they should not have access to but cannot disrupt service availability. The plugin is an add-on to Elementor, a widely used WordPress page builder, and is used to enhance website functionality. The lack of proper authorization checks means that authenticated users with limited permissions might escalate their privileges or perform unauthorized operations. Although no known exploits are currently in the wild, the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and assigned a CVSS v3.1 score of 5.4, indicating a medium severity level. The issue was reserved in November 2025 and published in January 2026, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. No patches or fixes are currently linked, so users must monitor vendor updates closely. The vulnerability is particularly relevant for websites using the merkulove Uper for Elementor plugin, which may be popular among European organizations leveraging WordPress for their web presence.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to the confidentiality and integrity of website data managed through the affected plugin. Attackers with low-level authenticated access could exploit the missing authorization to access or modify restricted content or settings, potentially leading to data leakage or unauthorized content changes. While availability is not impacted, the integrity compromise could undermine trust in the affected websites, damage brand reputation, and possibly facilitate further attacks such as phishing or malware distribution if content is altered maliciously. Organizations relying on WordPress sites with this plugin, especially those handling sensitive customer or business data, could face compliance risks under GDPR if unauthorized data access occurs. The risk is amplified for sites with multiple low-privileged users or contributors, as the attack requires only low privileges and no user interaction. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as public disclosure may prompt attackers to develop exploits. European entities with significant web presence and e-commerce or customer portals using Elementor and its extensions are particularly vulnerable.

1. Monitor merkulove vendor channels and trusted WordPress security advisories for official patches or updates addressing CVE-2025-66140 and apply them promptly once available. 2. Until a patch is released, restrict plugin usage to trusted administrators and limit the number of users with low privileges who can access the plugin’s features. 3. Conduct a thorough review of user roles and permissions in WordPress to ensure the principle of least privilege is enforced, minimizing the risk of exploitation by low-privileged users. 4. Implement web application firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the plugin’s endpoints or functionalities. 5. Enable detailed logging and monitoring of WordPress administrative actions and plugin usage to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. Educate site administrators and content managers about the vulnerability and encourage vigilance regarding unexpected changes or access patterns. 7. Consider temporary deactivation or removal of the merkulove Uper for Elementor plugin if it is not essential, to eliminate the attack surface until a fix is available. 8. Regularly back up website data and configurations to enable rapid recovery in case of compromise.