CVE-2025-14048 identifies a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the SimplyConvert plugin for WordPress, maintained by jonahsc. The vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 1.0 due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically related to the 'simplyconvert_hash' option. This option is insufficiently sanitized and escaped, allowing an authenticated attacker with administrator privileges to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages generated by the plugin. When other users visit these pages, the malicious scripts execute in their browsers, potentially compromising session tokens, cookies, or enabling further attacks such as privilege escalation or defacement. The attack vector is network-based, requiring high-level privileges (administrator) but no user interaction. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation) and has a CVSS v3.1 score of 4.4, indicating medium severity. No patches or fixes have been published yet, and no known exploits have been observed in the wild. The vulnerability's scope is limited to WordPress sites using the SimplyConvert plugin, but given WordPress's widespread use, this could affect numerous sites globally. The vulnerability's impact primarily affects confidentiality and integrity, with no direct availability impact. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for multi-user WordPress environments where administrators may be targeted or compromised.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to websites and web applications running WordPress with the SimplyConvert plugin installed. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized script execution in users' browsers, resulting in session hijacking, theft of sensitive data, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to data breaches, and violate data protection regulations such as GDPR if personal data is exposed. The requirement for administrator-level access limits the attack surface but also highlights the risk if admin credentials are compromised or insider threats exist. Organizations relying on WordPress for customer-facing or internal portals could see integrity and confidentiality compromised, potentially impacting trust and compliance. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often develop exploits rapidly after disclosure. The medium severity score suggests moderate impact, but the potential for chained attacks or privilege escalation increases concern. European entities with high WordPress usage, especially in sectors like e-commerce, media, and government, should consider this vulnerability significant.

1. Restrict administrator access strictly to trusted personnel and enforce strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 2. Monitor and audit administrator activities and input fields related to the 'simplyconvert_hash' option for suspicious or unexpected entries. 3. Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block common XSS payloads targeting WordPress plugins. 4. Until an official patch is released, consider disabling or removing the SimplyConvert plugin if it is not critical to operations. 5. For organizations with development capabilities, review and harden the plugin’s source code by adding proper input validation and output encoding to neutralize malicious scripts. 6. Educate administrators about the risks of XSS and the importance of cautious input handling. 7. Keep WordPress core and all plugins updated regularly to reduce exposure to known vulnerabilities. 8. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts on affected sites. 9. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on WordPress environments to detect similar vulnerabilities proactively.