CVE-2025-12484 identifies a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the WordPress plugin 'Giveaways and Contests by RafflePress – Get More Website Traffic, Email Subscribers, and Social Followers,' affecting all versions up to 1.12.19. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), specifically in multiple social media username parameters. Because the plugin fails to adequately sanitize and escape user-supplied input, an unauthenticated attacker can inject arbitrary JavaScript code that is stored persistently and executed in the context of any user visiting the affected page. This can lead to theft of session cookies, unauthorized actions on behalf of users, defacement, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2, reflecting its network exploitable nature (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction needed (UI:N). The scope is changed (S:C) because the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component, potentially impacting the entire web application. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are rated low, while availability is unaffected. No patches are currently linked, and no known exploits are reported in the wild, but the vulnerability's public disclosure increases the risk of exploitation. The plugin is widely used by websites aiming to increase traffic and social engagement, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking to compromise visitor data or site integrity. The vulnerability requires immediate attention to prevent exploitation, especially in environments where the plugin is active and exposed to public internet traffic.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses significant risks primarily to confidentiality and integrity of web applications using the affected plugin. Attackers can execute malicious scripts in the browsers of site visitors, potentially stealing session tokens, personal data, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of users. This can lead to data breaches, loss of customer trust, and reputational damage. Marketing and e-commerce websites relying on the plugin for user engagement are particularly vulnerable, as attackers could manipulate contest or giveaway pages to spread malware or phishing campaigns. The absence of required authentication or user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation, increasing the likelihood of attacks. While availability is not directly impacted, the indirect consequences such as blacklisting by search engines or regulatory penalties under GDPR for data breaches could have severe operational and financial repercussions. Organizations in Europe must consider the regulatory implications of such vulnerabilities, including potential fines and mandatory breach notifications.

1. Monitor for official patches or updates from the plugin vendor and apply them immediately once available. 2. In the absence of patches, implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block malicious payloads targeting social media username parameters, focusing on common XSS attack vectors. 3. Conduct a thorough audit of all user input handling related to the plugin, ensuring proper sanitization and output encoding consistent with OWASP guidelines. 4. Restrict or disable the plugin if it is not essential, especially on high-risk or sensitive websites. 5. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the impact of potential XSS attacks. 6. Educate site administrators and developers about the risks of stored XSS and the importance of secure coding practices. 7. Regularly review logs and monitor for suspicious activity that could indicate attempted exploitation. 8. Consider isolating or sandboxing the plugin’s functionality to minimize the scope of impact if exploited.