CVE-2025-3458 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Ocean Extra plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting all versions up to and including 2.4.6. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, classified under CWE-79. The flaw exists in the handling of the 'ocean_gallery_id' parameter, where insufficient input sanitization and output escaping allow an authenticated attacker with Contributor-level access or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages. This malicious script is then stored persistently and executed whenever any user accesses the compromised page. Notably, exploitation requires that the Classic Editor plugin is installed and activated, as this plugin likely influences how content is processed or rendered, enabling the injection vector. The vulnerability does not require higher privilege levels such as Administrator but does require authenticated access, limiting exploitation to users with some level of content creation or editing rights. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no official patches have been released yet. The vulnerability was reserved and publicly disclosed in April 2025, with enrichment from CISA, indicating recognition by US cybersecurity authorities. The Ocean Extra plugin is widely used in WordPress sites that employ the OceanWP theme, which is popular for building websites with flexible design options. This vulnerability could be leveraged to execute malicious scripts that steal user credentials, perform actions on behalf of users, or deliver further malware payloads, impacting the confidentiality and integrity of affected websites and their visitors.

For European organizations using WordPress websites with the OceanWP theme and the Ocean Extra plugin (version 2.4.6 or earlier), this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Attackers with Contributor-level access—such as content creators or editors—could inject persistent malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of site visitors and administrators. This can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, defacement, or distribution of malware. Organizations in sectors with high web presence, such as e-commerce, media, education, and government, could see reputational damage, data breaches, and regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations) if user data is compromised. The requirement for the Classic Editor plugin limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, as many European websites still use this editor for content management. The vulnerability affects the integrity of website content and the confidentiality of user data, and could indirectly impact availability if attackers use the exploit to conduct further attacks or cause site disruptions. Given the widespread use of WordPress and OceanWP in Europe, the threat could affect a broad range of organizations, especially those with less mature patch management or limited security awareness among content contributors.

1. Immediate mitigation involves disabling or uninstalling the Classic Editor plugin if it is not essential, as its presence is required for exploitation. 2. Restrict Contributor-level access strictly to trusted users and review user roles and permissions to minimize the number of users who can exploit this vulnerability. 3. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules that detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting the 'ocean_gallery_id' parameter, focusing on script tags and common XSS payload signatures. 4. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts on affected websites, reducing the impact of any successful injection. 5. Monitor website content for unauthorized script injections, especially in pages managed via the Classic Editor. 6. Maintain regular backups of website content to enable quick restoration if compromise is detected. 7. Stay alert for official patches or updates from the Ocean Extra plugin developers and apply them promptly once available. 8. Educate content contributors about the risks of XSS and safe content handling practices to reduce inadvertent exploitation. 9. Consider migrating to the WordPress Gutenberg editor if feasible, as this may reduce exposure to this specific vulnerability vector.