CVE-2025-11882 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Simple Donate plugin for WordPress, developed by ethoseo. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically within the simpledonate shortcode functionality. Versions up to and including 1.0 fail to adequately sanitize and escape user-supplied attributes, allowing authenticated users with contributor-level or higher privileges to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages. When other users access these pages, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or data theft. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.4, indicating medium severity. The attack vector is network-based with low attack complexity, requiring privileges equivalent to contributor-level access but no user interaction. The scope is changed as the vulnerability affects other users who view the injected content. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The vulnerability was reserved on October 16, 2025, and published on November 11, 2025. The lack of a patch at the time of reporting necessitates immediate mitigation efforts by affected organizations. This vulnerability highlights the risks of insufficient input validation in WordPress plugins, especially those handling user-generated content and donation-related functionalities.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-11882 can be significant, particularly for non-profits, charities, and other entities relying on WordPress sites with donation functionalities. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized script execution in the browsers of site visitors, enabling attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, or redirect users to malicious sites. This compromises confidentiality and integrity of user data and can damage organizational reputation. Since contributor-level access is required, insider threats or compromised contributor accounts pose a risk. The vulnerability does not affect availability directly but can lead to indirect service disruptions through trust erosion or further chained attacks. Organizations processing donations or sensitive user data must be vigilant, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to conduct phishing or fraud campaigns targeting donors. The medium severity score reflects moderate risk but with potential for escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities or social engineering tactics.

1. Immediately audit user roles and restrict contributor-level access to trusted personnel only, minimizing the risk of malicious input injection. 2. Monitor and review all content submitted via the simpledonate shortcode for suspicious scripts or anomalies. 3. Implement manual input sanitization and output escaping in the shortcode if feasible, using WordPress security best practices such as wp_kses() and esc_attr() functions. 4. Disable or remove the Simple Donate plugin temporarily if a patch is not available and the plugin is not critical to operations. 5. Keep WordPress core and all plugins updated, and subscribe to vendor security advisories for prompt patch application once released. 6. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block XSS payloads targeting the affected shortcode. 7. Educate contributors on secure content submission practices and the risks of injecting scripts. 8. Conduct regular security scans and penetration tests focusing on plugin vulnerabilities and user input handling. 9. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution sources, mitigating impact of injected scripts. 10. Maintain incident response readiness to quickly address any exploitation attempts.