CVE-2025-11453 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability identified in the Header and Footer Scripts plugin for WordPress, developed by anand_kumar. This vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), specifically through the _inpost_head_script parameter. Versions up to and including 2.2.2 fail to adequately sanitize and escape user-supplied input, allowing authenticated users with Contributor-level or higher privileges to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages. Because the injected scripts are stored persistently, they execute in the context of any user who accesses the affected page, potentially compromising user sessions, stealing cookies, or performing unauthorized actions. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond visiting the infected page and does not require elevated privileges beyond Contributor access, which is commonly granted on many WordPress sites. The CVSS 3.1 score of 6.4 reflects a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and partial confidentiality and integrity impacts but no availability impact. No patches or official fixes are currently linked, and no exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. The vulnerability was reserved in October 2025 and published in January 2026, indicating recent discovery and disclosure.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-11453 is the compromise of confidentiality and integrity on affected WordPress sites. Attackers with Contributor-level access can inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of site visitors, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users, or defacement of site content. This can erode user trust, damage brand reputation, and lead to data breaches. Since Contributor roles are often assigned to multiple users, including external content creators, the attack surface is significant. The vulnerability does not affect availability directly but can facilitate further attacks that degrade service or lead to site blacklisting by search engines. Organizations relying on the Header and Footer Scripts plugin are at risk of targeted attacks, especially if they have a large user base or handle sensitive information. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests limited immediate threat but also highlights the importance of proactive mitigation before exploitation occurs.

To mitigate CVE-2025-11453, organizations should first check for and apply any official patches or updates from the plugin developer once available. In the absence of patches, administrators should consider temporarily disabling the Header and Footer Scripts plugin or restricting Contributor-level user permissions to prevent script injection. Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block malicious script payloads targeting the _inpost_head_script parameter can reduce risk. Additionally, site owners should audit Contributor accounts for suspicious activity and enforce strict user role management, limiting Contributor privileges where possible. Employing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can help mitigate the impact of injected scripts by restricting script execution sources. Regular security scanning and monitoring for unusual page content changes or injected scripts are recommended. Finally, educating users with Contributor access about secure content practices can reduce accidental injection of malicious code.