CVE-2025-66161 identifies a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the merkulove Grider for Elementor plugin, a WordPress plugin designed to enhance Elementor page builder functionality. The vulnerability arises from improperly configured access control mechanisms, allowing users with low-level privileges (PR:L) to perform unauthorized actions that should be restricted. The CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N) indicates that the attack can be executed remotely over the network without user interaction, requires low privileges, and affects confidentiality and integrity but not availability. Specifically, the flaw allows attackers to bypass authorization checks, potentially accessing or modifying data they should not be able to. The affected versions include all releases up to and including 1.0.8, with no specific version marked as unaffected. Although no public exploits are currently known, the vulnerability's presence in a widely used WordPress plugin makes it a significant concern. The lack of patch links suggests that a fix may not yet be publicly available, emphasizing the need for vigilance. The vulnerability was reserved in late November 2025 and published in mid-December 2025. The plugin's role in managing page elements means that unauthorized changes could impact website content integrity and confidentiality of data handled through the plugin. This vulnerability is categorized as medium severity due to its moderate impact and ease of exploitation by authenticated users with low privileges.

For European organizations, the vulnerability poses risks primarily to the confidentiality and integrity of website content and potentially sensitive data managed through the Grider for Elementor plugin. Attackers with low-level access could escalate their privileges or manipulate page elements, leading to unauthorized data disclosure or content tampering. This could damage organizational reputation, lead to data breaches, or facilitate further attacks such as phishing or malware distribution. Since many European businesses rely on WordPress and Elementor for their web presence, especially SMEs and digital agencies, the vulnerability could have widespread impact. The absence of availability impact reduces the risk of denial-of-service conditions but does not diminish the threat to data security. The medium severity rating suggests that while the threat is not critical, it should not be ignored, particularly in regulated sectors like finance, healthcare, and government where data integrity and confidentiality are paramount. Additionally, the lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation before active exploitation occurs.

1. Monitor merkulove and Elementor plugin vendor channels closely for official patches addressing CVE-2025-66161 and apply them immediately upon release. 2. Conduct a thorough audit of user roles and permissions within WordPress environments to ensure that only trusted users have access to plugin management and editing capabilities. 3. Implement strict access control policies limiting plugin configuration and content editing to necessary personnel only. 4. Use Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the Grider for Elementor plugin endpoints. 5. Regularly review website logs for unusual activity indicative of unauthorized access attempts or privilege escalation. 6. Consider temporarily disabling or restricting the plugin if patching is delayed and the risk is deemed high. 7. Educate site administrators about the risks of privilege misuse and the importance of strong authentication mechanisms. 8. Employ security plugins that can detect unauthorized changes to website content or plugin files. 9. Maintain regular backups of website data and configurations to enable rapid recovery in case of compromise. 10. Integrate vulnerability scanning tools into the development and deployment pipeline to catch similar issues early.