CVE-2025-13031 is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability classified under CWE-79, found in the WPeMatico RSS Feed Fetcher WordPress plugin prior to version 2.8.13. The root cause is the plugin’s failure to properly sanitize and escape certain configuration settings, which can be manipulated by users with high privileges, such as contributors, to inject malicious JavaScript code. Stored XSS means the malicious payload is saved on the server and executed in the browsers of users who view the affected content, potentially leading to session hijacking, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability requires a contributor-level user to exploit, which limits the attack surface but still poses a significant risk since contributors can publish or modify content. The CVSS v3.1 score of 5.9 reflects a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, high privileges required, and user interaction necessary. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability due to the potential for executing arbitrary scripts within the context of the affected site, possibly compromising user data or site functionality. No public exploits are known at this time, but the vulnerability is published and should be addressed promptly. The affected versions are all prior to 2.8.13, and no patch links were provided, but updating to the fixed version is the recommended remediation. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for WordPress sites that use the WPeMatico plugin to automate RSS feed fetching and content aggregation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized script execution within their WordPress sites, potentially compromising user sessions, leaking sensitive information, or enabling further attacks such as privilege escalation or malware distribution. Organizations relying on WPeMatico for content aggregation may face defacement or data integrity issues. Since contributors can exploit this, insider threats or compromised contributor accounts increase risk. The impact extends to customer trust, regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR), and operational continuity. Given the widespread use of WordPress in Europe, especially among media, publishing, and small to medium enterprises, the vulnerability could affect a broad range of sectors. The medium severity indicates moderate risk but should not be underestimated due to the potential for chained attacks. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate it, emphasizing the need for proactive mitigation.

1. Immediately update the WPeMatico RSS Feed Fetcher plugin to version 2.8.13 or later where the vulnerability is fixed. 2. Restrict contributor privileges to only trusted users and review user roles regularly to minimize the risk of insider threats. 3. Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with rules to detect and block XSS payloads targeting WordPress plugins. 4. Conduct regular security audits and code reviews for custom plugins or themes that interact with WPeMatico or similar plugins. 5. Enable Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. 6. Monitor logs for unusual activity related to contributor accounts or plugin settings changes. 7. Educate content contributors about phishing and social engineering risks that could lead to account compromise. 8. Backup WordPress sites regularly to enable quick recovery in case of compromise. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on privilege management, proactive detection, and layered defenses tailored to this plugin’s context.