CVE-2025-14298 is a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability classified under CWE-79, found in the FiboSearch – Ajax Search for WooCommerce plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability exists due to insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-supplied input in the plugin's thegem_te_search shortcode, which is used to integrate search functionality with the premium TheGem theme when Header Builder mode is enabled and the 'Replace search bars' option is active. An authenticated attacker with at least Contributor-level privileges can inject malicious JavaScript code into pages via this shortcode. When other users visit these pages, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious actions. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.32.0 of the plugin. Exploitation requires specific conditions: the presence of the TheGem theme with Header Builder mode enabled and the FiboSearch integration option enabled, limiting the attack surface. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4, reflecting medium severity, with attack vector network, low attack complexity, privileges required at the contributor level, user interaction required, and a scope change. No known public exploits have been reported yet. The vulnerability highlights the risks of insufficient input validation in WordPress plugins, especially when combined with premium themes that modify page generation. Organizations using this plugin and theme combination should be aware of the risk of stored XSS leading to client-side code execution and potential compromise of user accounts and data confidentiality.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to e-commerce websites using WooCommerce with the FiboSearch plugin and TheGem theme. Successful exploitation can lead to theft of user credentials, session tokens, and personal data, undermining customer trust and potentially violating GDPR requirements for data protection. The stored nature of the XSS means that injected scripts persist and affect multiple users, increasing the scope of impact. Attackers with Contributor-level access can leverage this to escalate privileges or conduct phishing attacks within the site context. This can result in reputational damage, financial loss, and regulatory penalties. The requirement for specific theme and plugin configurations narrows the affected population but does not eliminate risk for organizations using these popular WordPress components. Given the widespread use of WooCommerce in Europe, especially in countries with strong e-commerce sectors like Germany, the UK, France, and the Netherlands, the impact could be significant if exploited at scale. Additionally, the vulnerability could be used as a foothold for further attacks on the hosting infrastructure or supply chain.

1. Immediately update the FiboSearch – Ajax Search for WooCommerce plugin to a version that addresses this vulnerability once available. 2. If an update is not yet available, disable the 'Replace search bars' option for TheGem integration or avoid using the thegem_te_search shortcode to prevent exploitation. 3. Restrict Contributor-level and higher privileges to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of malicious input injection. 4. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts targeting the vulnerable shortcode. 5. Review and harden input validation and output escaping practices in custom theme or plugin code, especially when integrating third-party components. 6. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on WordPress plugins and theme integrations. 7. Educate site administrators and content contributors about the risks of XSS and safe content handling. 8. Monitor site logs for unusual activities or injection attempts related to thegem_te_search shortcode. 9. Consider disabling or replacing the TheGem theme's Header Builder mode if it is not essential, to reduce the attack surface. 10. Ensure backups and incident response plans are in place to quickly recover from potential compromises.