CVE-2025-1503 identifies a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the WP Recipe Maker plugin for WordPress, maintained by brechtvds. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 9.8.0 and is caused by improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79). Specifically, the Roundup Recipe Name field does not adequately sanitize or escape user input, allowing authenticated users with Contributor-level permissions or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. When other users access the affected pages, the malicious scripts execute in their browsers, potentially compromising session tokens, redirecting users, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability requires no user interaction beyond visiting the injected page and does not require elevated privileges beyond Contributor access. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, privileges required, no user interaction, and partial confidentiality and integrity impact. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability poses a significant risk to WordPress sites using this plugin, especially those with multiple contributors. The lack of patch links suggests a fix may not yet be available, emphasizing the need for immediate mitigation steps.

The impact of CVE-2025-1503 is primarily on the confidentiality and integrity of affected WordPress sites using the WP Recipe Maker plugin. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of the victim’s browser, enabling session hijacking, theft of sensitive data, defacement, or unauthorized actions such as changing content or user settings. Since the vulnerability is stored XSS, the malicious payload persists and affects all users who visit the compromised pages. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to data breaches, and facilitate further attacks like phishing or malware distribution. The requirement for Contributor-level access limits exploitation to insiders or compromised accounts, but many WordPress sites grant such permissions broadly. The vulnerability does not impact availability directly but can indirectly cause service disruption through defacement or administrative interference. Organizations with public-facing WordPress sites that use WP Recipe Maker are at risk, especially those with multiple content contributors or less stringent access controls.

To mitigate CVE-2025-1503, organizations should first check for and apply any available patches or updates from the WP Recipe Maker plugin vendor as soon as they are released. In the absence of an official patch, administrators should implement strict input validation and output encoding on the Roundup Recipe Name field, either via custom code or security plugins that enforce sanitization. Limiting Contributor-level access to trusted users reduces the attack surface. Employing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block XSS payloads targeting this plugin can provide temporary protection. Regularly auditing user roles and permissions, and monitoring logs for suspicious activity related to recipe submissions, is recommended. Additionally, educating content contributors about safe input practices and the risks of injecting scripts can help prevent accidental exploitation. Finally, consider disabling or replacing the WP Recipe Maker plugin if immediate patching is not feasible.