CVE-2025-13704 identifies a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Autogen Headers Menu plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 1.0.1. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically through the 'head_class' parameter of the 'autogen_menu' shortcode. Authenticated users with Contributor-level privileges or higher can inject arbitrary JavaScript code that is stored persistently and executed in the context of any user who accesses the compromised page. This occurs because the plugin fails to adequately sanitize and escape user-supplied input before rendering it in the page output. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality and integrity by enabling script execution that can hijack user sessions, steal cookies, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N) indicates network attack vector, low attack complexity, requiring privileges but no user interaction, with a scope change and partial impact on confidentiality and integrity but no availability impact. No patches or official fixes are currently linked, and no known exploits have been observed in the wild, though the risk remains significant in multi-user WordPress environments where contributors can add content. The vulnerability was published in January 2026 and assigned by Wordfence.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to websites using the Autogen Headers Menu plugin on WordPress. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized script execution, enabling attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive data, or manipulate site content. This is particularly concerning for organizations with collaborative content management involving multiple contributors, such as media companies, educational institutions, and e-commerce platforms. The compromise of user accounts or site integrity could damage reputation, lead to data breaches, or facilitate further attacks such as phishing or malware distribution. Since the vulnerability requires contributor-level access, insider threats or compromised contributor accounts increase risk. The lack of known exploits suggests limited active targeting but also means organizations may be unaware of exploitation attempts. The impact on confidentiality and integrity, combined with the scope change, highlights the need for timely remediation to protect user data and maintain trust.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the Autogen Headers Menu plugin and its version. Since no official patch links are currently available, temporary mitigations include restricting Contributor-level access to trusted users only and implementing strict content review policies before publishing. Employing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious payloads targeting the 'head_class' parameter can reduce risk. Additionally, organizations should monitor logs for unusual shortcode usage or unexpected script injections. Upgrading to a patched version once released is critical. Developers and administrators should also consider disabling or replacing the vulnerable plugin with alternatives that follow secure coding practices. Regular security training for contributors to recognize and avoid introducing malicious content is recommended. Finally, applying Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can help mitigate the impact of injected scripts by restricting script execution sources.