CVE-2025-1005 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the ElementsKit Elementor addons plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 3.4.0. The vulnerability exists in the Image Accordion widget due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-supplied attributes. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary JavaScript code into pages via the widget. When other users access the compromised pages, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, defacement, or distribution of malware. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond viewing the affected page and does not require administrative privileges, lowering the barrier for exploitation. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.4 reflects a medium severity, with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and privileges required at the contributor level. The vulnerability’s scope is confined to websites using the vulnerable plugin versions, but given the popularity of WordPress and Elementor addons, the potential attack surface is significant. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the risk remains due to the ease of exploitation and the commonality of contributor roles in WordPress sites.

The impact of CVE-2025-1005 on organizations worldwide can be significant, particularly for those relying on WordPress sites with the ElementsKit Elementor addons plugin installed. Exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of the affected website, which can lead to theft of user credentials, session tokens, or other sensitive information. This can facilitate further attacks such as account takeover or unauthorized content modification. The vulnerability undermines the integrity and confidentiality of the website and its users. While availability is not directly impacted, the reputational damage and potential data breaches can have severe business consequences. Organizations with contributor-level users enabled on their WordPress sites are at increased risk, as these roles can be leveraged to inject malicious payloads. The widespread use of WordPress globally means that many organizations, including e-commerce, media, education, and government sectors, could be targeted. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often develop exploits after public disclosure.

To mitigate CVE-2025-1005, organizations should immediately update the ElementsKit Elementor addons plugin to a version that addresses the vulnerability once available. Until a patch is released, administrators should restrict contributor-level access to trusted users only and consider temporarily disabling or removing the Image Accordion widget from active pages. Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block malicious script injections targeting the widget can provide additional protection. Regularly audit user roles and permissions to minimize the number of users with contributor or higher privileges. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts on the website. Additionally, monitor website logs and user activity for signs of suspicious behavior or injection attempts. Educate content contributors about safe input practices and the risks of injecting untrusted content. Finally, maintain regular backups of website content to enable recovery in case of compromise.