CVE-2025-11830 is a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability classified under CWE-79, found in the WP Restaurant Listings plugin for WordPress. The flaw exists due to insufficient sanitization and output escaping of the 'align' parameter within the restaurant_summary shortcode. Authenticated users with contributor-level access or higher can exploit this vulnerability by injecting arbitrary JavaScript code into the parameter. Because the malicious script is stored, it executes every time a user accesses the affected page, potentially compromising user sessions, stealing cookies, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of users. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.0.2 of the plugin. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, requiring privileges but no user interaction, and impacting confidentiality and integrity with a scope change. No official patches have been released yet, and no known exploits are reported in the wild. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for websites that allow contributor-level users to add or edit content, as it enables persistent script injection that can affect all visitors. The lack of output escaping and input validation in the plugin's code is the root cause. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in WordPress plugins, especially those handling user-generated content.

For European organizations, especially those operating hospitality, restaurant, or food service websites using WordPress with the WP Restaurant Listings plugin, this vulnerability can lead to significant risks. Attackers with contributor-level access can inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of site visitors, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed under the victim's identity. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to data breaches involving customer information, and cause regulatory compliance issues under GDPR due to unauthorized data exposure. The medium severity score indicates a moderate risk, but the scope includes all users visiting affected pages, amplifying potential impact. Since the vulnerability requires authenticated access, insider threats or compromised contributor accounts are primary risk vectors. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as the vulnerability is publicly disclosed. European organizations with large customer bases or high web traffic are at greater risk of exploitation and subsequent operational disruption or data compromise.

To mitigate CVE-2025-11830, European organizations should take immediate and specific actions beyond generic advice: 1) Restrict contributor-level permissions strictly, ensuring only trusted users have such access to content editing features. 2) Implement web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting the 'align' parameter in the restaurant_summary shortcode. 3) Conduct a thorough audit of all user-generated content for injected scripts and sanitize or remove any suspicious entries. 4) If possible, disable or remove the WP Restaurant Listings plugin until a security patch is released. 5) Monitor logs for unusual activity related to contributor accounts and shortcode usage. 6) Educate content contributors about the risks of injecting untrusted content and enforce secure content submission policies. 7) Apply strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution sources on affected sites. 8) Engage with the plugin vendor or community to track patch releases and apply updates promptly once available. These targeted measures will reduce the attack surface and limit the potential for exploitation.