CVE-2025-7711 is a code injection vulnerability classified under CWE-94 affecting the Classified Listing – AI-Powered Classified ads & Business Directory Plugin for WordPress, developed by techlabpro1. The flaw exists in all versions up to and including 5.0.3, where the plugin improperly validates input before executing the WordPress do_shortcode function. This improper control allows authenticated users with Subscriber-level privileges or higher to execute arbitrary shortcodes, which can lead to execution of unintended code within the WordPress environment. Since shortcodes can embed PHP or other commands indirectly, this vulnerability can be leveraged to manipulate site content, escalate privileges, or perform unauthorized actions affecting data integrity and confidentiality. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and can be exploited remotely over the network. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.4 reflects a medium severity, with an attack vector of network, low attack complexity, and requiring low privileges but no user interaction. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the presence of this vulnerability in a widely used plugin increases the risk of future exploitation. The lack of a patch at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate mitigation steps by administrators. This vulnerability is particularly concerning for sites that allow multiple users with Subscriber or higher roles, as it expands the attack surface beyond administrators.

For European organizations using the Classified Listing plugin on WordPress sites, this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized shortcode execution by low-privilege authenticated users, potentially resulting in data tampering, unauthorized content changes, or privilege escalation. Confidentiality could be compromised if attackers use shortcode execution to access sensitive information or inject malicious scripts. Integrity is at risk due to the possibility of altering site content or configurations. Availability impact is minimal as the vulnerability does not directly enable denial-of-service attacks. Organizations operating classified ads, business directories, or community platforms relying on this plugin may face reputational damage and operational disruptions if exploited. Given the medium severity and ease of exploitation, attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish footholds or pivot within affected networks. The risk is heightened in environments with many authenticated users or weak access controls. European entities must consider compliance implications under GDPR if personal data is exposed or altered due to exploitation.

Until an official patch is released, European organizations should implement the following mitigations: 1) Restrict Subscriber and other low-privilege user roles from accessing functionalities that invoke shortcode execution within the plugin. 2) Employ WordPress security plugins or custom code to monitor and log shortcode usage and detect anomalous shortcode executions. 3) Harden user role permissions by reviewing and minimizing capabilities granted to authenticated users. 4) Disable or limit the use of shortcodes in user-generated content where possible. 5) Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans focusing on WordPress plugins. 6) Prepare for rapid deployment of patches once available from the vendor. 7) Educate site administrators and users about the risks of shortcode injection and encourage strong password policies to prevent account compromise. 8) Consider isolating critical WordPress instances or using web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block suspicious shortcode execution patterns.