CVE-2025-48132 is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the pencilwp X Addons for Elementor plugin, affecting versions up to 1.0.14. This vulnerability arises due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, classified under CWE-79. Specifically, the plugin fails to adequately sanitize or encode user-supplied input before rendering it on web pages, allowing an attacker to inject malicious scripts that are stored and later executed in the context of users visiting the affected site. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L reveals that the attack can be launched remotely over the network with low attack complexity, requires the attacker to have some privileges (PR:L), and requires user interaction (UI:R) to trigger the malicious script. The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact includes low confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, but the stored nature of the XSS can lead to persistent exploitation. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability affects websites using the X Addons for Elementor plugin, which is a popular WordPress page builder extension, commonly used to enhance website design and functionality. Stored XSS vulnerabilities can be leveraged to steal user credentials, perform actions on behalf of users, or deliver further malware payloads, posing significant risks especially on sites with authenticated users or administrative interfaces.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a tangible risk especially for businesses and institutions relying on WordPress sites enhanced with the X Addons for Elementor plugin. The stored XSS can lead to session hijacking, unauthorized actions, and data theft, potentially violating GDPR requirements related to data protection and user privacy. Compromise of user accounts or administrative access could lead to defacement, data leakage, or further compromise of internal networks. Sectors such as e-commerce, government portals, educational institutions, and healthcare providers using this plugin are particularly at risk due to the sensitive nature of their data and regulatory scrutiny. The medium severity score suggests that while the vulnerability is not trivially exploitable without some privileges and user interaction, the persistent nature of stored XSS increases the attack surface and potential impact. Additionally, the scope change indicates that the vulnerability could affect multiple components or users beyond the initially vulnerable plugin, amplifying potential damage.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the X Addons for Elementor plugin and verify the version in use. Until an official patch is released, organizations should consider the following specific mitigations: 1) Restrict plugin usage to trusted administrators only, minimizing the number of users with privileges to input content that could be exploited. 2) Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules specifically targeting common XSS payload patterns to block malicious requests at the perimeter. 3) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. 4) Sanitize and validate all user inputs at the application level, possibly using additional security plugins that enhance input filtering. 5) Monitor logs for unusual activity or injection attempts related to the plugin. 6) Educate users to be cautious of unexpected prompts or interactions on affected sites. 7) Plan for rapid deployment of patches once available and test updates in staging environments before production rollout. 8) Consider temporary disabling or replacing the plugin if the risk is deemed unacceptable and no patch is available.