CVE-2025-2269 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Photo Gallery by 10Web – Mobile-Friendly Image Gallery plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 1.8.34. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically insufficient sanitization and escaping of the 'image_id' parameter. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to craft malicious URLs containing executable JavaScript code. When an administrative user clicks such a link, the injected script executes within their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or unauthorized actions within the WordPress admin interface. The vulnerability does not require prior authentication but does require user interaction (clicking a malicious link). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.1, indicating medium severity, with attack vector network, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and impact on confidentiality and integrity but not availability. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be considered a significant risk for affected WordPress sites. The plugin is widely used for mobile-friendly image galleries, making this a relevant threat for many WordPress administrators. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79, which is a common and well-understood class of web application security issues. Mitigation currently relies on patching or applying input validation and output encoding best practices.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-2269 is on the confidentiality and integrity of affected WordPress sites using the vulnerable 10Web Photo Gallery plugin. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of an administrative user's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, theft of sensitive information, unauthorized changes to site content or configuration, and further pivoting within the network. Since the attack requires user interaction but no authentication, phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to target site administrators. Although availability is not directly impacted, the compromise of administrative accounts or site integrity can lead to significant operational disruption and reputational damage. Organizations relying on this plugin for image galleries, especially those with high-value content or e-commerce capabilities, face increased risk of data breaches and unauthorized access. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits following public disclosure. The vulnerability's medium severity indicates a moderate but actionable threat that should be addressed promptly to prevent exploitation.

1. Immediate patching: Apply any official updates from 10Web that address this vulnerability as soon as they become available. Monitor the vendor's channels for patches or security advisories. 2. Input validation and output encoding: If patching is not immediately possible, implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block malicious payloads targeting the 'image_id' parameter. 3. User awareness: Educate WordPress administrators about the risk of clicking untrusted links, especially those containing suspicious parameters. 4. Restrict administrative access: Limit admin panel access by IP whitelisting or VPN to reduce exposure to phishing attempts. 5. Monitor logs: Enable detailed logging and monitor for unusual requests containing suspicious 'image_id' parameter values or unexpected admin actions. 6. Disable or replace the plugin: If the plugin is not essential, consider disabling it or replacing it with a more secure alternative until a patch is available. 7. Harden WordPress security: Enforce multi-factor authentication for admin accounts and regularly review user privileges to minimize the impact of compromised credentials. 8. Regular backups: Maintain frequent backups of site data and configurations to enable rapid recovery in case of compromise.