CVE-2025-11822 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the WP Bootstrap Tabs plugin for WordPress, versions up to and including 1.0.4. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically through the 'bootstrap_tab' shortcode. The plugin fails to adequately sanitize and escape user-supplied attributes, allowing authenticated users with contributor-level access or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. This malicious code is stored persistently in the WordPress database and executed in the context of any user who views the affected page, including administrators and other privileged users. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond viewing the compromised page and can lead to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or unauthorized actions within the WordPress environment. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and privileges required at the contributor level. The scope is changed, as the vulnerability can affect other components or users beyond the initial compromised plugin. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the presence of authenticated access requirements limits exploitation to insiders or compromised accounts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in WordPress plugins, especially those that accept user-generated content or shortcode parameters.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to websites running WordPress with the WP Bootstrap Tabs plugin installed. The impact includes potential compromise of user sessions, unauthorized content manipulation, and possible privilege escalation if administrative accounts are targeted through the injected scripts. This can lead to data leakage, defacement, or further exploitation of the web infrastructure. Organizations relying on contributor-level user roles for content management are particularly vulnerable, as attackers can leverage these permissions to inject malicious scripts. The reputational damage and compliance risks under GDPR are significant if personal data is exposed or manipulated. Additionally, the vulnerability could be used as a foothold for lateral movement within the network if WordPress is integrated with internal systems. However, the lack of known exploits in the wild and the requirement for authenticated access somewhat limit immediate widespread impact. Still, the medium CVSS score and scope change indicate that the vulnerability should be treated seriously to prevent potential escalation.

1. Immediately audit WordPress sites for the presence of the WP Bootstrap Tabs plugin and identify versions up to 1.0.4. 2. Restrict contributor-level and higher permissions to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of malicious shortcode injection. 3. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious shortcode attribute patterns or script injections related to 'bootstrap_tab'. 4. Monitor logs and user activity for unusual shortcode usage or unexpected content changes. 5. Until an official patch is released, consider disabling or removing the plugin if feasible, or restrict shortcode usage via content filters or plugin settings. 6. Educate content contributors about safe content practices and the risks of injecting untrusted code. 7. Once a patch is available, apply it promptly and verify that input sanitization and output escaping are properly enforced. 8. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts on affected sites. 9. Regularly back up WordPress sites to enable quick restoration in case of compromise. 10. Conduct security testing on WordPress plugins before deployment to identify similar issues proactively.