CVE-2025-13196 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability classified under CWE-79, found in the Element Pack Addons for Elementor plugin for WordPress, specifically in the Open Street Map widget's marker content parameter. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during web page generation, where the plugin fails to adequately sanitize and escape input before rendering it on pages. This flaw allows authenticated users with contributor-level privileges or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages. When other users access these pages, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, defacement, or further exploitation such as pivoting within the network. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 8.3.4 of the plugin. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.4, reflecting a medium severity level, with the vector indicating network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L), user interaction (UI:R), and a scope change (S:C) with limited confidentiality and integrity impacts but no availability impact. No patches or known exploits have been reported at the time of publication. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for WordPress sites that allow multiple contributors to add or edit content, as it enables malicious actors to embed persistent scripts that affect all visitors. The exploit requires authentication and user interaction, which somewhat limits its risk but does not eliminate it, especially in collaborative environments. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly in widely used plugins that extend popular CMS platforms like WordPress.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to websites using the affected plugin with multi-user content management workflows. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized script execution in users' browsers, resulting in session hijacking, data theft, or defacement of public-facing websites. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to data breaches, and potentially facilitate further attacks within the network. The requirement for contributor-level access limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, especially in organizations with large editorial teams or external contributors. Given the widespread use of WordPress across Europe for business, government, and media websites, the vulnerability could impact sectors reliant on trusted web content delivery. Additionally, the scope change in the CVSS vector suggests that the vulnerability could affect resources beyond the initially compromised component, increasing potential damage. Although no active exploitation is reported, the presence of this vulnerability in a popular plugin necessitates prompt attention to prevent future attacks. The impact is heightened in environments where user credentials are weak or where contributor accounts are shared or poorly managed.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the use of the Element Pack Addons for Elementor plugin, particularly versions up to 8.3.4. Since no official patch is currently available, administrators should consider the following specific mitigations: 1) Restrict contributor-level access strictly to trusted users and review existing contributor accounts for suspicious activity. 2) Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious payloads targeting the Open Street Map widget's marker content parameter. 3) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts on affected sites. 4) Monitor logs for unusual content submissions or script injections within the plugin's widget parameters. 5) Educate content contributors about the risks of injecting untrusted content and enforce strict content submission guidelines. 6) Temporarily disable or remove the vulnerable widget if feasible until a patch is released. 7) Regularly check for updates from the vendor and apply patches promptly once available. 8) Use security plugins that provide XSS protection and input sanitization enhancements. These targeted measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control, monitoring, and compensating controls tailored to the vulnerability's exploitation vector.