CVE-2025-12457 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the 'Enable SVG, WebP, and ICO Upload' WordPress plugin developed by ideastocode. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.1.2. The root cause is insufficient sanitization and output escaping of SVG files uploaded by users with Author-level or higher privileges. SVG files can contain embedded JavaScript, and due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, malicious scripts embedded in SVG files are stored on the server and executed in the context of any user who views the SVG content. This leads to a classic stored XSS scenario, where an attacker can inject arbitrary scripts that compromise user sessions, steal cookies, or perform actions on behalf of the victim. The CVSS v3.1 score is 6.4 (medium), reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, required privileges (Author-level), no user interaction, and impact on confidentiality and integrity but not availability. No patches or fixes have been published yet, and no known exploits are reported in the wild. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user WordPress environments where multiple authors contribute content and upload media files. The plugin’s functionality to enable SVG uploads, which are inherently risky due to their XML-based format allowing script embedding, is the attack vector. The vulnerability highlights the need for rigorous input validation and output encoding when handling SVG files in web applications.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to websites running WordPress with the affected plugin installed, especially those with multiple content authors or contributors. Exploitation can lead to session hijacking, unauthorized actions, defacement, or data theft by injecting malicious scripts into SVG files that execute in the browsers of site visitors or administrators. This undermines the confidentiality and integrity of user data and site content. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, media, government, and education, which commonly use WordPress for public-facing websites, may face reputational damage and compliance issues under GDPR if user data is compromised. The attack requires authenticated access at Author-level, so insider threats or compromised accounts increase risk. The lack of available patches means organizations must rely on mitigation strategies until a fix is released. The vulnerability does not affect availability directly but can disrupt trust and site functionality if exploited.

1. Immediately restrict SVG file uploads to trusted users only, preferably administrators, until a patch is available. 2. Implement strict server-side validation of SVG files to remove or neutralize any embedded scripts or potentially dangerous XML elements before allowing uploads. 3. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution contexts and reduce the impact of XSS attacks. 4. Regularly audit user roles and permissions to ensure only necessary users have Author-level or higher privileges. 5. Monitor web server logs and WordPress activity logs for suspicious upload activity or unusual SVG file access patterns. 6. Consider disabling the 'Enable SVG, WebP, and ICO Upload' plugin temporarily if SVG upload functionality is not critical. 7. Educate content authors about the risks of uploading untrusted SVG files. 8. Stay updated with vendor advisories and apply patches promptly once released. 9. Use web application firewalls (WAF) with rules to detect and block malicious SVG payloads. 10. Employ output encoding and sanitization libraries in custom code interacting with SVG files.