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 vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.14.3. It stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), specifically due to insufficient sanitization and escaping of multiple widget parameters. An attacker with at least Contributor-level privileges can inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages via these widget parameters. Because the malicious script is stored, it executes whenever any user accesses the infected page, potentially compromising user sessions, stealing cookies, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of users. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, requiring privileges but no user interaction, and impacting confidentiality and integrity with no effect on availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet. The vulnerability highlights the risk posed by insufficient input validation in WordPress plugins, especially those that allow relatively low-privileged users to contribute content that is rendered to others. The stored nature of the XSS increases its impact compared to reflected XSS, as it can affect multiple users persistently. The plugin’s popularity and integration with Elementor make this a significant concern for WordPress sites using it.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to websites built on WordPress that utilize the Addon Elements for Elementor plugin. Successful exploitation could lead to session hijacking, unauthorized actions performed in the context of authenticated users, theft of sensitive information such as cookies or credentials, and potential website defacement or redirection to malicious sites. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to data breaches, and cause compliance issues under GDPR due to unauthorized data exposure. Since Contributor-level access is sufficient to exploit the vulnerability, insider threats or compromised contributor accounts can be leveraged by attackers. The persistent nature of stored XSS means multiple users can be affected over time, increasing the scope of impact. Additionally, automated scanning and exploitation attempts could increase once public details become widespread, potentially targeting European organizations with high WordPress usage. The impact on availability is minimal, but confidentiality and integrity risks are significant.

1. Monitor for and apply security updates from wpvibes promptly once a patch for this vulnerability is released. 2. Until patched, restrict Contributor-level and higher access to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of malicious script injection. 3. Implement additional input validation and sanitization at the application or web server level to filter out suspicious script tags or JavaScript code in widget parameters. 4. Deploy Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the impact of XSS attacks. 5. Regularly audit user roles and permissions to ensure least privilege principles are enforced. 6. Use Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with rules targeting XSS payloads to detect and block exploitation attempts. 7. Educate content contributors about safe content practices and the risks of injecting untrusted code. 8. Monitor logs and website behavior for signs of XSS exploitation or unusual script execution. 9. Consider isolating or sandboxing user-generated content where feasible to limit script execution scope.