CVE-2025-2482 identifies a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Gotcha | Gesture-based Captcha plugin developed by pienaro for WordPress. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 1.0.0 due to insufficient sanitization and escaping of the 'menu' parameter during web page generation. Reflected XSS occurs when malicious input is immediately echoed in a web page without proper neutralization, enabling attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication, but user interaction is necessary, typically by convincing a user to click a maliciously crafted URL containing the payload in the 'menu' parameter. Successful exploitation can lead to theft of session cookies, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites, impacting confidentiality and integrity of user data. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.1, reflecting a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and scope changed due to impact beyond the vulnerable component. No patches or known exploits are currently available, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be addressed promptly. The plugin’s usage in WordPress sites globally makes this a relevant threat for many organizations relying on this captcha solution for bot mitigation.

The primary impact of this vulnerability is on the confidentiality and integrity of user data on affected WordPress sites. Attackers can execute arbitrary scripts in the context of the victim’s browser, potentially stealing session tokens, cookies, or other sensitive information, leading to account compromise or unauthorized actions. The reflected nature means the attack requires user interaction, limiting automated exploitation but still posing significant risk through phishing or social engineering. There is no direct impact on availability. Organizations running websites with this plugin may suffer reputational damage, loss of user trust, and potential regulatory consequences if user data is compromised. Since the vulnerability affects a captcha plugin, it may also undermine the effectiveness of bot mitigation controls if exploited to bypass or manipulate captcha challenges. The medium CVSS score reflects moderate risk but should not be underestimated given the widespread use of WordPress and the ease of exploitation once a user is tricked.

1. Immediately update the Gotcha | Gesture-based Captcha plugin to a patched version once available from the vendor. 2. If no patch is available, consider disabling or uninstalling the plugin to eliminate the attack surface. 3. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious requests containing malicious payloads in the 'menu' parameter. 4. Employ strict input validation and output encoding on all user-controllable parameters in web applications, especially those reflected in responses. 5. Educate users and administrators about phishing risks and the dangers of clicking on untrusted links. 6. Monitor web server logs for unusual or suspicious query parameters that may indicate exploitation attempts. 7. Use Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. 8. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focusing on XSS vulnerabilities in web applications. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on immediate plugin management, network-level protections, and user awareness tailored to this specific vulnerability.