CVE-2025-12537 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Addon Elements for Elementor plugin for WordPress, which is widely used to extend Elementor page builder functionality. The flaw exists in all plugin versions up to and including 1.14.3 due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79). Specifically, multiple widget parameters do not undergo sufficient input sanitization or output escaping, allowing authenticated users with Contributor-level access or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages. When other users visit these pages, the malicious scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or unauthorized actions within the context of the victim's session. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network without user interaction, but requires the attacker to have authenticated Contributor or higher privileges, which are common in collaborative WordPress environments. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.4 (medium severity), reflecting low attack complexity and partial impact on confidentiality and integrity, but no impact on availability. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability's presence in a popular plugin and the ease of exploitation by insiders or compromised accounts make it a significant risk. The scope is considered changed (S:C) because the vulnerability affects components beyond the attacker’s privileges, potentially impacting other users. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate mitigation steps by administrators.

For European organizations, this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized script execution within trusted websites, compromising user sessions, stealing sensitive data, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of users. Organizations relying on the affected plugin for their WordPress sites risk data confidentiality breaches and integrity violations, especially if Contributor-level access is widely granted. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR if personal data is exposed), and facilitate further attacks such as phishing or malware distribution. The medium severity indicates a moderate risk, but the potential for lateral movement and persistent compromise in collaborative environments elevates concern. Websites serving customers or employees in Europe could be targeted to exploit trust relationships. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged to inject malicious content that affects visitors across the EU, amplifying the impact. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often weaponize such vulnerabilities rapidly after disclosure.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Immediately audit and restrict Contributor-level and higher user roles to trusted personnel only, minimizing the number of users who can inject content. 2) Apply strict input validation and output escaping on all widget parameters if custom development or overrides are used. 3) Monitor WordPress sites for unusual script injections or unexpected changes in page content, using security plugins or web application firewalls (WAFs) with XSS detection capabilities. 4) Disable or remove the vulnerable Addon Elements for Elementor plugin until an official patch is released. 5) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict execution of unauthorized scripts on affected sites. 6) Regularly update WordPress core, plugins, and themes to incorporate security fixes promptly. 7) Educate site administrators and content contributors about the risks of XSS and safe content handling practices. 8) Consider implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the risk of compromised contributor accounts. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on role management, monitoring, and layered defenses specific to the vulnerability’s exploitation vector.