CVE-2025-12065 is a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified in the WP Carticon plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 1.0.0. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically insufficient sanitization and escaping of the 'carticon_js_script' parameter. This flaw allows authenticated users with administrator-level privileges to inject arbitrary JavaScript code that is stored persistently and executed when any user accesses the affected page. The vulnerability is limited to multi-site WordPress installations or those where the 'unfiltered_html' capability is disabled, which restricts the ability to insert raw HTML and scripts. Exploitation requires high privileges (administrator access), no user interaction, and is network exploitable. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.4 (medium severity), reflecting the requirement for high privileges and the limited confidentiality and integrity impact. The vulnerability could be leveraged for session hijacking, privilege escalation, or defacement by executing malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser. No patches or known exploits are currently available, and the vulnerability was published on November 4, 2025. The CWE classification is CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation), a common vector for XSS attacks.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-12065 depends heavily on their use of the WP Carticon plugin within multi-site WordPress environments or installations with restricted HTML capabilities. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized script execution, enabling attackers to hijack user sessions, steal credentials, or perform actions on behalf of legitimate users, thereby compromising confidentiality and integrity. Although availability is not directly affected, the trustworthiness of affected websites could be damaged, impacting business reputation and user confidence. Organizations running e-commerce or customer-facing portals using this plugin are at higher risk, as attackers could manipulate shopping carts or payment workflows. The requirement for administrator privileges limits the attack surface but insider threats or compromised admin accounts could facilitate exploitation. Given the widespread use of WordPress in Europe, especially in small and medium enterprises, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk that should be addressed promptly to prevent potential lateral movement or data breaches.

To mitigate CVE-2025-12065, European organizations should first verify if they operate multi-site WordPress installations or have disabled 'unfiltered_html' capabilities and use the WP Carticon plugin version 1.0.0 or earlier. Immediate steps include restricting administrator access to trusted personnel and enforcing strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of credential compromise. Implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data, particularly the 'carticon_js_script' parameter, to prevent script injection. Monitor logs and web traffic for unusual script insertions or anomalous behavior indicative of XSS attempts. If possible, disable or remove the WP Carticon plugin until a vendor patch or update is released. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting stored XSS patterns to block malicious payloads. Regularly audit WordPress plugins and themes for vulnerabilities and maintain an up-to-date inventory to prioritize patching. Finally, educate administrators about the risks of XSS and the importance of cautious plugin management in multi-site environments.