CVE-2025-1626 identifies a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Qi Blocks WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.4. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and escaping of user-supplied input in the Countdown block options. When a user with contributor or higher privileges inserts or modifies content using these blocks, malicious JavaScript code can be embedded and stored within the WordPress database. This malicious script executes in the context of any user viewing the affected page or post, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or other client-side attacks. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, indicating improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The CVSS 3.1 score of 5.4 reflects a medium severity, with an attack vector of network, low attack complexity, requiring privileges (contributor role), and user interaction to trigger the exploit. The scope is changed because the vulnerability affects components beyond the initially compromised user, impacting other users who view the content. No patches or known exploits are currently reported, but the risk remains significant due to the stored nature of the XSS and the common use of WordPress and its plugins. The vulnerability was reserved in February 2025 and published in May 2025, with WPScan as the assigner. The absence of vendor information suggests the plugin may be less widely supported or maintained, increasing risk for users who do not promptly update or mitigate.

For European organizations, this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized script execution within trusted websites, compromising the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions, including administrators and editors. Attackers exploiting this flaw could steal authentication cookies, perform actions on behalf of other users, or deliver malware payloads. This is particularly concerning for organizations relying on WordPress for public-facing or intranet sites with multiple contributors. The stored nature of the XSS means that once injected, the malicious code persists and affects all visitors to the compromised content, amplifying the potential damage. Additionally, reputational damage and regulatory compliance issues (e.g., GDPR) could arise if user data is compromised. Organizations with collaborative content creation workflows are at higher risk, as contributor-level users can exploit the vulnerability. The medium CVSS score indicates moderate risk but should not be underestimated given the widespread use of WordPress in Europe.

1. Immediately update the Qi Blocks plugin to version 1.4 or later once available, as this will likely contain the necessary patches to fix the vulnerability. 2. Until a patch is applied, restrict contributor and higher roles from using the Countdown block or disable the plugin if feasible. 3. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block typical XSS payloads targeting the affected plugin’s parameters. 4. Conduct regular security audits and code reviews of custom or third-party WordPress plugins to identify similar input validation issues. 5. Educate content contributors about the risks of injecting untrusted content and enforce strict content moderation policies. 6. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to reduce the impact of potential XSS by restricting script execution sources. 7. Monitor logs and user activity for unusual behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. 8. Use security plugins that scan for stored XSS vulnerabilities and sanitize user inputs dynamically.