CVE-2025-13885 identifies a stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability in the Zenost Shortcodes plugin for WordPress, specifically in the 'button' shortcode's 'link' and 'target' parameters. The root cause is insufficient input sanitization and output escaping, allowing authenticated users with Contributor-level access or above to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages. This malicious code is stored persistently and executed in the context of any user who views the infected page, potentially compromising user sessions, stealing cookies, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of users. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.0 of the plugin. The CVSS 3.1 score of 6.4 reflects a medium severity, with an attack vector of network (remote), low attack complexity, requiring privileges (Contributor or higher), no user interaction, and a scope change indicating that the vulnerability can affect components beyond the initially vulnerable plugin. Although no known exploits are currently in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the common use of WordPress and the plugin in question. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which covers improper neutralization of input during web page generation leading to XSS. The lack of patches at the time of reporting increases exposure. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could compromise site integrity and user data confidentiality.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for those relying on WordPress websites with multiple contributors managing content. Successful exploitation can lead to session hijacking, unauthorized actions performed under the victim's credentials, defacement, or phishing attacks delivered through the compromised site. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to data breaches involving user information, and potentially violate GDPR requirements concerning data protection and breach notification. The medium severity score indicates a moderate risk, but the scope change means that the impact could extend beyond the plugin itself, affecting other parts of the website or user base. Organizations with public-facing websites or e-commerce platforms using the Zenost Shortcodes plugin are particularly vulnerable. The requirement for Contributor-level access reduces risk from anonymous attackers but does not eliminate insider threats or compromised accounts. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the Zenost Shortcodes plugin and verify the version in use. Restrict Contributor-level access to trusted users only and review user roles to minimize privilege creep. Implement strict input validation and output encoding for shortcodes if custom development is possible. Monitor website content for suspicious shortcode usage or unexpected script injections. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting XSS payloads, especially those targeting shortcode parameters. Regularly backup website data to enable quick recovery if exploitation occurs. Stay alert for official patches or updates from the plugin developer and apply them promptly once available. Consider temporarily disabling the plugin if feasible until a fix is released. Educate content contributors about the risks of injecting untrusted content and enforce content submission policies. Finally, conduct security scans and penetration tests focusing on shortcode inputs to detect potential exploitation.