The SEO Links Interlinking plugin for WordPress suffers from a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-14063. This vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically through the 'google_error' parameter, which is not adequately sanitized or escaped before being reflected in the page output. Because of this, an attacker can craft a malicious URL containing JavaScript payloads in the 'google_error' parameter. When a victim clicks this URL, the injected script executes in their browser context, potentially allowing theft of session cookies, redirection to malicious sites, or other client-side attacks. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.7.5 of the plugin. It requires no authentication but does require user interaction (clicking a malicious link). The CVSS 3.1 score of 6.1 reflects a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction needed, and impacts on confidentiality and integrity but not availability. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and documented by Wordfence and the CVE database. The reflected nature of the XSS means it can be used in phishing campaigns or targeted attacks against users of affected WordPress sites. The plugin is commonly used to enhance SEO by interlinking links within WordPress sites, making it prevalent in websites focused on digital marketing and e-commerce.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data. Attackers can steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, or redirect users to malicious websites, potentially leading to credential theft or malware infections. Organizations relying on the SEO Links Interlinking plugin on public-facing WordPress sites, especially those handling sensitive user data or financial transactions, could face reputational damage and regulatory scrutiny under GDPR if user data is compromised. The reflected XSS can also facilitate phishing attacks targeting employees or customers, increasing the risk of broader compromise. Although availability is not directly impacted, the indirect consequences of successful exploitation could lead to service disruptions or loss of customer trust. The medium severity indicates that while the vulnerability is serious, exploitation requires user interaction, somewhat limiting its impact compared to more severe vulnerabilities.

Immediate mitigation should focus on minimizing exposure by disabling or removing the SEO Links Interlinking plugin until a security patch is available. If the plugin is critical for business operations, organizations should implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious requests containing malicious payloads in the 'google_error' parameter. Additionally, applying strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can help mitigate the impact of XSS by restricting script execution sources. Educate users and administrators to avoid clicking on suspicious links and to report any unusual website behavior. Monitor official plugin repositories and vendor communications for security updates or patches and apply them promptly once released. For organizations with development resources, consider contributing or implementing input validation and output encoding fixes in the plugin code as an interim measure. Regular security audits and penetration testing of WordPress sites can help detect similar vulnerabilities proactively.