CVE-2025-48235 is a DOM-based Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the WordPress plugin 'WP Image Mask' developed by Bogdan Bendziukov. This vulnerability arises from 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 it is processed and rendered in the Document Object Model (DOM), allowing an attacker to inject malicious scripts. The affected versions include all versions up to 3.1.2. 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 executed remotely over the network with low attack complexity, requires privileges (authenticated user), and user interaction (UI:R). 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, consistent with typical DOM-based XSS attacks that can lead to session hijacking, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches are linked yet. The vulnerability was published on May 19, 2025, and is enriched by CISA data. This vulnerability is significant because WordPress plugins are widely used, and DOM-based XSS can be exploited to compromise user sessions or deliver malicious payloads within the context of trusted websites.

For European organizations using WordPress sites with the WP Image Mask plugin, this vulnerability poses a risk of client-side script injection that can lead to session hijacking, unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or distribution of malware. The medium severity suggests that while the vulnerability is not trivially exploitable without authentication and user interaction, it can still be leveraged by attackers with limited privileges to escalate their impact. This is particularly concerning for organizations handling sensitive user data or providing critical services via WordPress-based portals. The scope change indicates that the vulnerability could affect multiple components or users beyond the initially vulnerable plugin, potentially amplifying the impact. Exploitation could undermine user trust, lead to data leakage, or facilitate further attacks such as phishing or credential theft. Given the popularity of WordPress in Europe for business, government, and e-commerce websites, the vulnerability could have widespread implications if not addressed promptly.

1. Immediate mitigation should include disabling or removing the WP Image Mask plugin until a security patch is released. 2. Monitor official sources and the plugin vendor for security updates or patches and apply them promptly once available. 3. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious DOM-based XSS payloads targeting the plugin's functionality. 4. Conduct thorough input validation and output encoding on all user inputs processed by the plugin, if custom modifications are possible. 5. Educate authenticated users about the risks of interacting with untrusted content or links within the WordPress admin interface. 6. Use Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in the browser context. 7. Regularly audit WordPress plugins for security vulnerabilities and maintain an inventory to quickly identify and respond to such issues. 8. Employ security plugins that can detect and alert on suspicious activity related to XSS attempts.