The mahype Pagerank Tools plugin for WordPress, up to and including version 1.1.5, contains a vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-12416, categorized under CWE-352 (Cross-Site Request Forgery). The vulnerability stems from the pr_save_settings() function lacking nonce validation, a security mechanism designed to verify the legitimacy of requests. Additionally, the plugin fails to sufficiently sanitize user inputs before storing them. This combination allows an attacker to craft a malicious request that, when an authenticated administrator is tricked into clicking (via social engineering or phishing), results in the injection of malicious JavaScript code stored persistently within the plugin’s settings. When any user subsequently visits the plugin’s settings page, the malicious script executes in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or data theft. The vulnerability requires no prior authentication (PR:N) but does require user interaction (UI:R) in the form of the administrator clicking a malicious link. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.1, reflecting a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and impact on confidentiality and integrity but no impact on availability. No patches or exploits are currently publicly available, but the risk remains significant due to the stored XSS nature and the potential for widespread impact if exploited in administrative contexts.

For European organizations, especially those relying on WordPress for content management and using the mahype Pagerank Tools plugin, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized script execution within administrative interfaces. This can lead to theft of administrative credentials, unauthorized changes to site configurations, and potential lateral movement within the organization’s web infrastructure. The impact on confidentiality and integrity is notable, as attackers can hijack sessions or inject further malicious payloads. Given the widespread use of WordPress across European SMEs, government portals, and enterprises, exploitation could disrupt business operations and damage reputations. The absence of known exploits currently limits immediate risk, but the ease of exploitation via social engineering and the stored nature of the XSS make it a persistent threat. Organizations with less mature patch management or limited security awareness training for administrators are particularly vulnerable.

Immediate mitigation involves disabling or removing the mahype Pagerank Tools plugin until a security patch is released. Administrators should monitor official mahype channels for updates addressing nonce validation and input sanitization. In the interim, organizations can implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious POST requests targeting the pr_save_settings() endpoint. Security teams should enforce strict administrator training to recognize phishing attempts and avoid clicking untrusted links. Reviewing and restricting administrative access to trusted personnel reduces exposure. Additionally, applying Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can help mitigate the impact of injected scripts. For organizations with development capabilities, manually patching the plugin to add nonce verification and sanitize inputs before saving settings is advisable. Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning of WordPress plugins should be intensified to detect similar issues proactively.