CVE-2025-2800 is a high-severity Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the WP Event Manager – Events Calendar, Registrations, Sell Tickets with WooCommerce plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically due to insufficient sanitization and output escaping of the 'organizer_name' parameter. The flaw exists in all versions up to and including 3.1.50 of the plugin. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability by injecting arbitrary malicious scripts into the 'organizer_name' field, which are then stored and executed in the context of any user who views the affected page. Because the vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, it can be exploited remotely and silently, potentially leading to session hijacking, defacement, or the delivery of further malicious payloads. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.2, reflecting a high severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction needed, and a scope change indicating that the vulnerability affects components beyond the initially vulnerable module. The impact primarily affects confidentiality and integrity, as attackers can steal sensitive user data or manipulate displayed content, but does not directly impact availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet, indicating that mitigation relies on careful input validation and monitoring until an update is released.

For European organizations using WordPress websites with the WP Event Manager plugin, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Many European businesses, event organizers, and cultural institutions rely on WordPress plugins for event management and ticket sales, making this vulnerability a potential vector for widespread exploitation. Successful exploitation could lead to theft of user credentials, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users, defacement of public-facing event pages, and erosion of customer trust. Given the plugin’s integration with WooCommerce, attackers might leverage XSS to manipulate e-commerce transactions or redirect users to phishing sites, impacting revenue and compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR. Additionally, the cross-site scripting vulnerability could be used as a foothold for further attacks within the network, especially if administrative users are targeted. The lack of authentication requirement increases the threat surface, making it easier for attackers to exploit the vulnerability at scale. Organizations in Europe must consider the reputational and regulatory consequences of such an incident, including potential fines and loss of customer confidence.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence and version of the WP Event Manager plugin. Until an official patch is released, implement the following mitigations: 1) Apply Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules specifically targeting malicious payloads in the 'organizer_name' parameter to block suspicious inputs. 2) Employ strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts on affected pages. 3) Sanitize and validate all user inputs on the server side, especially those related to event organizer data, using custom filters or third-party sanitization libraries. 4) Limit the exposure of the vulnerable plugin by restricting access to event management pages via IP whitelisting or authentication where feasible. 5) Monitor web server logs and user reports for signs of XSS exploitation attempts or unusual activity. 6) Educate site administrators and users about the risks and encourage prompt reporting of suspicious behavior. 7) Plan for rapid deployment of the official patch once available and test updates in a staging environment before production rollout. These targeted mitigations go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific vulnerable parameter and leveraging layered defenses to reduce risk.