CVE-2025-0329 is a medium-severity vulnerability classified as a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue affecting the AI ChatBot plugin for WordPress versions prior to 6.2.4. The vulnerability arises because the plugin fails to properly sanitize and escape certain settings inputs. This flaw allows users with high privileges, such as administrators, to inject malicious scripts that are stored persistently within the plugin's settings. Notably, this vulnerability can be exploited even when the unfiltered_html capability is disabled, such as in WordPress multisite environments, which typically restricts the ability to post unfiltered HTML. The attack vector requires high privileges (admin-level access) and user interaction, as the attacker must input malicious content into the plugin’s settings. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality and integrity by enabling script execution in the context of the affected WordPress site, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of other users. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.8, reflecting a medium severity level, with a vector indicating network attack vector, low attack complexity, high privileges required, user interaction needed, and a scope change. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no official patches have been linked yet, although the fixed version is 6.2.4 or later. The vulnerability is tracked under CWE-79, which is a common and well-understood XSS weakness.

For European organizations using WordPress with the AI ChatBot plugin, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the confidentiality and integrity of their web applications. If exploited, attackers with admin access could inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of other users, potentially leading to session hijacking, data leakage, or unauthorized administrative actions. This is particularly concerning for organizations operating multisite WordPress installations, common in educational institutions, government agencies, and large enterprises, where the unfiltered_html capability is often restricted to reduce risk. The vulnerability could facilitate lateral movement within the WordPress environment or enable attackers to implant persistent backdoors or defacements. While the vulnerability requires admin privileges, the risk is elevated if an attacker gains initial access through other means (e.g., phishing, credential compromise). The medium severity score suggests that while the vulnerability is not trivially exploitable by external attackers without credentials, it remains a significant threat in environments with multiple administrators or where privilege escalation is possible. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for prompt remediation.

European organizations should prioritize updating the AI ChatBot plugin to version 6.2.4 or later as soon as it becomes available to ensure the vulnerability is patched. Until then, administrators should restrict plugin configuration access strictly to trusted personnel and audit admin accounts for suspicious activity. Implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block common XSS payloads can provide an additional layer of defense. Organizations should also review and harden WordPress multisite configurations, ensuring that the unfiltered_html capability is appropriately managed and that privilege assignments follow the principle of least privilege. Regular security training for administrators to recognize phishing and social engineering attempts can reduce the risk of initial compromise. Monitoring logs for unusual admin activity or unexpected changes in plugin settings can help detect exploitation attempts early. Finally, consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the impact of potential XSS attacks by restricting the execution of unauthorized scripts.