CVE-2025-1517 is a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified in the Sina Extension for Elementor plugin, which provides various widgets and templates for WordPress sites using Elementor. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-supplied input in the plugin's Fancy Text, Countdown Widget, and Login Form shortcodes. This improper neutralization of input (CWE-79) allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages. When other users access these pages, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or unauthorized actions within the context of the victim's session. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 3.6.0. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, requiring privileges but no user interaction, and impacting confidentiality and integrity with a scope change. No patches or official fixes are currently linked, and no known exploits have been observed in the wild. The vulnerability is significant because contributor-level users are common in collaborative WordPress environments, and exploitation could compromise site integrity and user trust.

The impact of CVE-2025-1517 can be substantial for organizations using the affected plugin. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of the website, leading to theft of sensitive information such as authentication cookies or personal data, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of legitimate users, and potential defacement or redirection to malicious sites. This can erode user trust, damage brand reputation, and potentially lead to regulatory compliance issues if user data is compromised. Since the vulnerability requires contributor-level access, insider threats or compromised contributor accounts can be leveraged to escalate attacks. The scope change in the CVSS score indicates that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially compromised component, potentially impacting the entire website. Although no known exploits are reported yet, the medium severity and ease of exploitation suggest that attackers could develop exploits quickly, especially in environments with multiple contributors.

To mitigate CVE-2025-1517, organizations should immediately update the Sina Extension for Elementor plugin to a patched version once available. In the absence of an official patch, administrators should restrict contributor-level access to trusted users only and audit existing contributor accounts for suspicious activity. Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block common XSS payloads can provide temporary protection. Additionally, site administrators can sanitize and validate all user inputs manually or via custom code to enforce strict input validation. Employing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can help mitigate the impact of injected scripts by restricting script execution sources. Regular security reviews and monitoring for unusual page content changes or script injections are recommended. Finally, educating contributors about secure content practices and the risks of injecting untrusted input can reduce accidental exploitation.