CVE-2025-12450 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the LiteSpeed Cache plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 7.5.0.1. The root cause is insufficient sanitization and escaping of URL inputs during web page generation, which allows unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web pages. When a victim clicks on a maliciously crafted URL, the injected script executes in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, indicating improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.1 reflects a medium severity, with the vector indicating network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), scope changed (S:C), and impacts on confidentiality and integrity (C:L/I:L) but no availability impact (A:N). No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date (October 29, 2025). The vulnerability affects a widely used caching plugin that optimizes WordPress performance, making it a significant risk for websites relying on LiteSpeed Cache. The reflected nature of the XSS means the attack is transient and requires user interaction, but the scope change indicates that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component, potentially impacting the entire web application context.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data on WordPress sites using the LiteSpeed Cache plugin. Attackers could exploit this flaw to steal authentication cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, or deliver further malicious payloads such as malware or phishing content. This is particularly concerning for e-commerce platforms, government portals, and other public-facing services that rely on WordPress with LiteSpeed Cache for performance optimization. The reflected XSS can be leveraged in targeted phishing campaigns to European users, potentially leading to data breaches or reputational damage. While the vulnerability does not directly affect availability, the indirect consequences of compromised user accounts or injected malicious scripts can disrupt business operations and erode user trust. The medium severity score reflects a moderate but tangible threat, especially given the widespread use of WordPress in Europe and the plugin’s popularity. Organizations failing to patch or mitigate this vulnerability may face regulatory scrutiny under GDPR if user data confidentiality is compromised.

1. Monitor for and apply official patches or updates from LiteSpeedtech as soon as they are released to address CVE-2025-12450. 2. Until patches are available, implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious URL parameters that may contain script payloads targeting LiteSpeed Cache. 3. Employ strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data, especially URL parameters, to prevent script injection. 4. Configure Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of inline scripts and limit sources of executable scripts, reducing the impact of potential XSS attacks. 5. Educate users and administrators about the risks of clicking on unsolicited or suspicious links, emphasizing phishing awareness. 6. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on web application vulnerabilities, including reflected XSS. 7. Consider temporarily disabling or replacing the LiteSpeed Cache plugin if immediate patching is not feasible and the risk is deemed high. 8. Monitor logs for unusual URL access patterns or repeated attempts to exploit this vulnerability to enable early detection and response.