CVE-2025-1054 identifies a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the UiCore Elements – Free Elementor widgets and templates plugin for WordPress, versions up to and including 1.0.16. The vulnerability affects multiple widgets: UI Counter, UI Icon Box, UI Testimonial Slider, UI Testimonial Grid, and UI Testimonial Carousel. The root cause is improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), specifically insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-supplied data before rendering it in the page. Authenticated attackers with Contributor-level privileges or higher can inject arbitrary JavaScript payloads into these widgets. When any user accesses a page containing the injected script, the malicious code executes in their browser context. This can lead to theft of session cookies, defacement, or further attacks such as privilege escalation or malware delivery. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity and no user interaction required beyond page access. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality and integrity but not availability. The scope is potentially broad, as many WordPress sites use Elementor and its free widget plugins. No patches or official fixes are currently linked, and no public exploits are known, though the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and tracked by CVE and CISA enrichment. The plugin’s widespread use in WordPress ecosystems makes this a notable risk for site administrators.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-1054 is the compromise of user confidentiality and integrity on affected WordPress sites. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of site visitors, potentially stealing authentication cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or performing actions on behalf of users. This can lead to account takeover, data leakage, and reputational damage. Since the vulnerability requires Contributor-level access, attackers must first compromise or register accounts with some privileges, which may be easier on sites with weak registration controls. The vulnerability does not affect availability directly but can be leveraged as a stepping stone for broader attacks. Organizations running WordPress sites with this plugin, especially those with high user interaction or sensitive data, face increased risk of targeted attacks and data breaches. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests limited active exploitation currently, but the public disclosure increases the risk of future attacks. The vulnerability’s presence in a popular plugin ecosystem means many small to medium businesses and content creators could be affected globally.

To mitigate CVE-2025-1054, organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations for the presence of the UiCore Elements – Free Elementor widgets and templates plugin. If found, restrict Contributor-level and higher user registrations and permissions to trusted users only. Since no official patch is currently linked, administrators should consider temporarily disabling or removing the vulnerable widgets (UI Counter, UI Icon Box, UI Testimonial Slider, UI Testimonial Grid, UI Testimonial Carousel) until a vendor patch is released. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block typical XSS payloads targeting these widgets. Enable Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution sources and reduce impact of injected scripts. Regularly monitor logs for suspicious activity or unexpected script injections. Educate site administrators and users about the risks of privilege escalation and the importance of strong authentication controls. Once a vendor patch is available, apply it promptly. Additionally, consider using security plugins that sanitize user inputs and outputs to add an extra layer of defense.