CVE-2025-12078 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability classified under CWE-79, found in the ArtiBot Free Chat Bot for WebSites WordPress plugin, versions up to and including 1.1.7. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically in the handling of PostMessage data. This insufficient input sanitization and lack of output escaping allow an unauthenticated attacker to craft malicious URLs or payloads that, when clicked by a user, execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the vulnerable website. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires no privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component. The impact affects confidentiality and integrity (C:L, I:L) but not availability (A:N). This vulnerability could be leveraged to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, or redirect users to malicious sites. Although no known exploits are currently reported, the widespread use of WordPress and the plugin increases the risk of exploitation once public proof-of-concept code appears. The vulnerability is rated medium severity with a CVSS 3.1 score of 6.1. No official patches are currently available, so mitigation relies on defensive coding practices and security controls.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk to the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data on websites using the ArtiBot plugin. Attackers could hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or perform unauthorized actions by exploiting the XSS flaw. This is particularly concerning for e-commerce platforms, government portals, and any public-facing sites that rely on user trust and data protection. The vulnerability could also facilitate phishing attacks by injecting malicious scripts that alter website content or redirect users. While availability is not directly impacted, the reputational damage and potential regulatory consequences under GDPR for data breaches could be significant. Organizations with high traffic websites or those handling personal data are at greater risk. The lack of authentication requirement lowers the barrier for attackers, increasing the threat landscape.

1. Monitor the vendor’s official channels for patches and apply updates immediately once available. 2. Until a patch is released, implement strict Content Security Policies (CSP) to restrict script execution and mitigate the impact of injected scripts. 3. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block suspicious PostMessage payloads or reflected XSS patterns targeting the plugin. 4. Conduct thorough input validation and output encoding on any user-controllable inputs related to the chatbot or PostMessage handlers if custom modifications exist. 5. Educate users and administrators about the risks of clicking untrusted links, especially those purporting to interact with the chatbot. 6. Regularly audit WordPress plugins for vulnerabilities and remove or replace plugins that are no longer maintained or secure. 7. Use security headers such as X-Content-Type-Options, X-Frame-Options, and HTTPOnly cookies to reduce attack surface.