CVE-2025-39450 is a Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability classified under CWE-79, affecting the Crocoblock JetTabs plugin, a tool commonly used in WordPress environments to create tabbed content interfaces. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically enabling DOM-based XSS attacks. This means that malicious input can be injected and executed in the victim's browser by manipulating the Document Object Model (DOM) without proper sanitization or encoding of user-supplied data. The affected versions include all versions up to 2.2.7. The vulnerability requires low attack complexity (AC:L) but does require privileges (PR:L) and user interaction (UI:R), indicating that an attacker must have some level of authenticated access and trick a user into performing an action, such as clicking a crafted link or interacting with malicious content. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, categorized as medium severity, reflecting limited but non-negligible impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability has a scope change (S:C), meaning the impact extends beyond the vulnerable component to other components or systems. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the presence of this vulnerability in a widely used WordPress plugin makes it a potential target for attackers aiming to execute arbitrary scripts in users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the web application context.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for those relying on WordPress websites utilizing the Crocoblock JetTabs plugin for content presentation. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to user sessions, leakage of sensitive information, or manipulation of web content, undermining user trust and potentially violating data protection regulations such as the GDPR. The medium severity score indicates that while the vulnerability is not critical, it can still facilitate attacks that compromise confidentiality and integrity, and potentially availability if exploited in chained attacks. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, finance, healthcare, and government, which often have public-facing websites with interactive content, may face reputational damage and regulatory scrutiny if exploited. Additionally, the requirement for some level of authentication and user interaction may limit the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with many users or where social engineering can be effective.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should first verify if their WordPress installations use the Crocoblock JetTabs plugin and identify the version in use. Immediate steps include updating the plugin to a patched version once available from the vendor. In the absence of an official patch, organizations should consider temporarily disabling the JetTabs plugin or removing affected features to reduce exposure. Implementing strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can help limit the impact of XSS by restricting the execution of unauthorized scripts. Additionally, input validation and output encoding should be enforced at the application level, especially for any user-supplied data rendered in the DOM. Monitoring web application logs for unusual activity and educating users about phishing and social engineering risks can further reduce exploitation likelihood. Finally, organizations should maintain regular backups and have an incident response plan to address potential compromises stemming from XSS attacks.