CVE-2025-3614 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the ElementsKit Elementor Addons and Templates plugin for WordPress, developed by xpeedstudio. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 3.5.2 due to improper input sanitization and output escaping of the URL attribute within a custom widget. An authenticated attacker with Contributor-level privileges or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting malicious JavaScript code into the URL attribute of the widget. Because the vulnerability is stored, the injected script is saved in the WordPress database and executed whenever any user accesses the compromised page. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which involves improper neutralization of input during web page generation, leading to XSS. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.4, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N) shows that the attack can be performed remotely over the network with low attack complexity, requires privileges (Contributor or higher), does not require user interaction, and impacts confidentiality and integrity with a scope change. This means the vulnerability can be exploited to steal sensitive information (e.g., cookies, session tokens) or perform actions on behalf of other users, potentially leading to account compromise or privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. However, the vulnerability poses a significant risk to websites using this plugin, especially those allowing multiple contributors or editors to add content.

For European organizations, this vulnerability can have serious consequences, particularly for businesses and institutions relying on WordPress sites with collaborative content management. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data, session hijacking, or defacement of web pages, undermining user trust and damaging brand reputation. In sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, where data protection regulations like GDPR are stringent, a breach resulting from this vulnerability could lead to regulatory penalties and legal liabilities. Additionally, the scope change indicated by the CVSS vector means that the attacker can affect users beyond their own privileges, potentially compromising administrators or other high-privilege accounts. This elevates the risk of further attacks, including site takeover or distribution of malware to visitors. The fact that exploitation requires only Contributor-level access means that organizations with multiple content creators or less restrictive access controls are at higher risk. Since WordPress is widely used across Europe, especially for small and medium enterprises, NGOs, and public sector websites, the vulnerability could have broad impact if not addressed promptly.

European organizations should take immediate steps to mitigate this vulnerability. First, they should monitor for updates from xpeedstudio and apply patches as soon as they become available. Until a patch is released, organizations should restrict Contributor-level access to trusted users only and review existing user roles to minimize the number of users with such privileges. Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block malicious script injections targeting the ElementsKit plugin can provide temporary protection. Additionally, organizations should audit their WordPress sites for any suspicious content or injected scripts, especially in pages using the vulnerable widget. Employing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can help mitigate the impact of XSS by restricting the execution of unauthorized scripts. Regular backups and monitoring for anomalous user behavior or content changes will aid in early detection and recovery. Finally, educating content contributors about safe input practices and the risks of injecting untrusted content can reduce the likelihood of exploitation.