CVE-2025-13622 identifies a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Jabbernotification plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 0.99-RC2. The root cause is insufficient sanitization and escaping of user input passed via the admin.php PATH_INFO parameter. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by a user with access to the WordPress admin interface, execute arbitrary JavaScript in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability leverages CWE-79, which involves improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires no privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R) to trigger the script execution. The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component. The impact affects confidentiality and integrity (C:L/I:L) but not availability (A:N). Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the vulnerability poses a risk of session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user. The plugin is used within WordPress environments, which are widely deployed across Europe, especially in small to medium enterprises and public sector websites. The lack of a patch at the time of publication necessitates immediate mitigation steps to reduce exposure.

For European organizations, this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information and manipulation of user sessions within WordPress administrative interfaces. Attackers could steal authentication cookies, perform actions with the victim's privileges, or inject malicious content that compromises user trust and website integrity. Public-facing WordPress sites with the Jabbernotification plugin installed are particularly vulnerable, increasing the risk of targeted phishing campaigns exploiting this flaw. The impact is heightened in sectors where WordPress is used for critical communications or customer interactions, such as government portals, educational institutions, and SMEs. While availability is not directly impacted, the reputational damage and potential data breaches could have regulatory consequences under GDPR, including fines and mandatory breach notifications. The medium severity rating reflects the need for prompt but not emergency response, as exploitation requires user interaction and no known automated exploits exist yet.

1. Monitor for and apply official patches or updates from the plugin vendor immediately upon release. 2. Until patches are available, restrict access to the WordPress admin.php endpoint using IP whitelisting, VPNs, or other network controls to limit exposure. 3. Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block reflected XSS payloads targeting the admin.php PATH_INFO parameter. 4. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to reduce the impact of injected scripts. 5. Educate users, especially administrators, to avoid clicking on suspicious or unsolicited links that could trigger the vulnerability. 6. Regularly audit installed WordPress plugins and remove or replace those that are unmaintained or vulnerable. 7. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on WordPress admin accounts to mitigate session hijacking risks. 8. Conduct security testing and code review of custom plugins or themes that interact with admin.php to ensure no similar flaws exist.