The CC Child Pages plugin for WordPress, widely used to manage hierarchical page structures, suffers from a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-13608. This vulnerability stems from the 'show_child_pages' function, which processes the 'child_pages' shortcode. Four attributes—use_custom_link, use_custom_link_target, use_custom_thumbs, and use_custom_excerpt—do not undergo sufficient input sanitization or output escaping. Consequently, an authenticated attacker with contributor-level permissions or higher can inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages. Because the malicious script is stored, it executes every time the infected page is accessed by any user, potentially compromising user sessions, stealing cookies, or performing unauthorized actions within the context of the victim's browser. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.4, reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and a scope change due to affecting other components. Although no active exploits are known, the vulnerability's presence in a popular WordPress plugin and the relatively low privilege required to exploit it make it a significant risk. The lack of a patch at the time of reporting necessitates immediate attention from site administrators. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality and integrity of affected systems but does not affect availability. The stored nature of the XSS increases the risk of widespread impact once exploited.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to websites running WordPress with the CC Child Pages plugin installed. Exploitation can lead to session hijacking, unauthorized actions on behalf of users, defacement, or distribution of malware via injected scripts. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to data breaches involving user credentials or personal data, and potentially violate GDPR requirements concerning data protection and breach notification. The requirement for contributor-level access limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, as many organizations allow multiple users with such privileges. Public-facing websites, intranets, or portals using this plugin are particularly vulnerable. The scope change in the CVSS vector indicates that the vulnerability can affect components beyond the plugin itself, potentially impacting other integrated systems or plugins. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for mitigation, but the medium severity score suggests that attackers may develop exploits soon. Organizations in sectors with high regulatory scrutiny or public visibility in Europe could face significant operational and compliance impacts if exploited.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the CC Child Pages plugin and verify the version in use. Until an official patch is released, administrators should consider disabling the plugin or restricting contributor-level access to trusted users only. Implementing Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious input patterns related to the vulnerable shortcode attributes can provide interim protection. Site administrators should also review user roles and permissions to minimize the number of users with contributor or higher privileges. Employing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can help mitigate the impact of injected scripts by restricting script execution sources. Monitoring web server and application logs for unusual activity or injection attempts is advisable. Once a patch is available, prompt application is critical. Additionally, educating content contributors about safe input practices and the risks of injecting untrusted content can reduce exploitation likelihood. Regular backups and incident response plans should be updated to address potential XSS incidents.