CVE-2025-66157 identifies a Missing Authorization vulnerability (CWE-862) in the merkulove Slider for Elementor plugin, a WordPress plugin widely used to create interactive sliders on websites. The vulnerability exists due to incorrectly configured access control security levels, allowing attackers who have some level of privileges (PR:L) to perform unauthorized actions within the plugin. This could include modifying slider content, disrupting slider functionality, or potentially causing denial of service conditions. The vulnerability does not require user interaction (UI:N) and can be exploited remotely over the network (AV:N), making it accessible to attackers with limited privileges on the target system. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.4 reflects a medium severity, with impact primarily on integrity and availability, but no direct confidentiality loss. The affected versions include all versions up to 1.0.10, with no patches currently available. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the vulnerability's presence in a popular WordPress plugin makes it a notable risk. The vulnerability was reserved in late November 2025 and published at the end of 2025, indicating recent discovery. The lack of patches means organizations must rely on mitigating controls until updates are released. Given the plugin’s role in website presentation, exploitation could degrade user experience or deface content, impacting brand reputation and service reliability.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-66157 can be significant, especially for those relying on WordPress websites with the merkulove Slider for Elementor plugin installed. Unauthorized modification of slider content can lead to misinformation, brand damage, or defacement, undermining customer trust. Denial of service or disruption of slider functionality can degrade user experience and potentially reduce website traffic or sales. While confidentiality is not directly impacted, integrity and availability concerns can affect business operations and reputation. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, media, and public services that use this plugin for customer-facing websites are particularly vulnerable. The medium severity score suggests that while the risk is not critical, exploitation could still cause meaningful operational disruption. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability becomes widely known. European organizations must consider this vulnerability in their patch management and web security strategies to prevent unauthorized access and maintain service continuity.

1. Immediately audit user roles and permissions within WordPress to ensure that only trusted users have privileges that could be leveraged to exploit this vulnerability. 2. Restrict access to the WordPress admin dashboard and plugin management interfaces using IP whitelisting, VPNs, or multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of privilege abuse. 3. Monitor website and plugin activity logs for unusual modifications or access patterns related to the Slider for Elementor plugin. 4. Implement web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the plugin endpoints. 5. Regularly back up website data and configurations to enable quick restoration in case of exploitation. 6. Stay informed about vendor updates and apply patches promptly once they become available. 7. Consider temporarily disabling or replacing the Slider for Elementor plugin with alternative solutions if the risk is deemed unacceptable until a patch is released. 8. Conduct penetration testing focused on access control mechanisms around the plugin to identify and remediate weaknesses proactively.