CVE-2025-2580 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the WordPress plugin 'Contact Form by Bit Form,' which includes Multi Step Form, Calculation Contact Form, Payment Contact Form, and Custom Contact Form builder components. The vulnerability arises due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), specifically related to insufficient sanitization and output escaping of SVG file uploads. Authenticated users with Author-level privileges or higher can exploit this flaw by uploading malicious SVG files containing embedded scripts. These scripts are then stored and executed in the context of any user who accesses the affected SVG file, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 2.18.3 of the plugin. No patches have been released at the time of this analysis, and no known exploits are currently observed in the wild. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on April 25, 2025, and has been enriched by CISA. The attack requires authenticated access at the Author level or above, which limits the attack surface to users with some level of trust within the WordPress environment. However, given the widespread use of WordPress and the popularity of contact form plugins, the potential impact is significant, especially for websites that allow multiple users to upload files or manage content. The exploitation vector leverages the SVG file format, which supports embedded scripts, making it a vector for stored XSS when input validation is inadequate. This vulnerability can compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability by enabling attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of site visitors or administrators, potentially leading to data theft, defacement, or further compromise of the hosting environment.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate to high risk, particularly for those relying on WordPress-based websites with the affected plugin installed. The ability for authenticated users to inject persistent malicious scripts can lead to data breaches involving personal data, which is critical under GDPR regulations. Attackers could steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of legitimate users, or deliver malware to site visitors, undermining trust and causing reputational damage. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, government, healthcare, and finance, which often use WordPress for public-facing websites and customer interaction, may face increased risk. Additionally, the stored nature of the XSS means that even users without elevated privileges who visit the compromised pages could be affected, broadening the impact. The lack of a patch at present increases exposure time. Furthermore, exploitation could facilitate lateral movement within the network if administrative credentials are compromised, potentially impacting internal systems. Given the regulatory environment in Europe, any data leakage or service disruption could result in significant legal and financial consequences.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting Author-level and higher user permissions to trusted personnel only, minimizing the risk of malicious SVG uploads. 2. Disable SVG file uploads entirely if not strictly necessary, or implement strict file type restrictions and validation on uploads. 3. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block malicious SVG payloads containing scripts. 4. Monitor user uploads and audit logs for suspicious activity related to file uploads and content changes. 5. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of inline scripts and reduce the impact of XSS attacks. 6. Regularly update WordPress core and plugins, and closely monitor vendor communications for patches addressing this vulnerability. 7. Consider deploying runtime application self-protection (RASP) solutions that can detect and block XSS attempts in real time. 8. Educate site administrators and content managers about the risks of uploading untrusted files and the importance of adhering to security policies. 9. Conduct periodic security assessments and penetration testing focusing on file upload functionalities and input sanitization. 10. If possible, isolate the contact form functionality on a subdomain or separate environment to limit the blast radius of a successful exploit.