CVE-2025-12631 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability classified under CWE-79 found in the Squirrels Auto Inventory plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.0.3. The root cause is insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in the plugin’s admin settings interface, which allows authenticated users with administrator-level permissions or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. The vulnerability specifically impacts multi-site WordPress installations where the unfiltered_html capability is disabled, a common security setting to prevent unsafe HTML content. Once malicious scripts are injected, they execute in the context of any user who visits the compromised page, potentially enabling session hijacking, privilege escalation, or other malicious actions. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.4, reflecting a medium severity due to the attack vector being network-based but requiring high privileges (administrator) and no user interaction. The scope is changed (S:C) because the vulnerability can affect other components or users beyond the initial attacker. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is published and should be addressed promptly. The lack of a patch link indicates that a fix may not yet be available, emphasizing the need for interim mitigations.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant in environments where the Squirrels Auto Inventory plugin is deployed on WordPress multi-site installations, especially in automotive dealerships, inventory management, or related sectors. Exploitation could allow malicious administrators to inject scripts that compromise user sessions or manipulate data, undermining confidentiality and integrity. Although availability is not directly affected, the reputational damage and potential data breaches could lead to regulatory consequences under GDPR. The requirement for administrator privileges limits the attack surface but insider threats or compromised admin accounts could be leveraged. Multi-site installations increase the scope of impact by affecting multiple sites within a network, amplifying potential damage. The medium CVSS score suggests moderate risk, but the specific context of use and presence of sensitive data could elevate the operational impact. Organizations relying on WordPress multi-site setups with this plugin should consider the risk of lateral movement and persistent attacks.

1. Immediately restrict administrator-level access to trusted personnel and enforce strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA). 2. Monitor admin activity logs for unusual changes in plugin settings or unexpected script injections. 3. If a patch is not yet available, consider disabling or uninstalling the Squirrels Auto Inventory plugin in multi-site environments until a fix is released. 4. Enable and enforce strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts. 5. Review and harden WordPress security settings, including ensuring unfiltered_html is disabled only where necessary and validating all admin inputs. 6. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans focusing on WordPress plugins and multi-site configurations. 7. Educate administrators about the risks of XSS and the importance of secure plugin management. 8. Use web application firewalls (WAFs) configured to detect and block XSS payloads targeting admin interfaces. 9. Prepare incident response plans for potential exploitation scenarios involving admin account compromise.