CVE-2025-48251 is a security vulnerability classified as CWE-79, which corresponds to Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, commonly known as Cross-site Scripting (XSS). This vulnerability affects the WordPress plugin 'Additional Custom Emails & Recipients for WooCommerce' developed by WPFactory, specifically versions up to 3.5.1. The flaw allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts that are stored persistently within the application, leading to Stored XSS attacks. Stored XSS occurs when malicious input is saved by the application and later rendered in web pages viewed by other users without proper sanitization or encoding. This can enable attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, unauthorized actions on behalf of the user, or distribution of malware. The CVSS v3.1 base score for this vulnerability is 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 indicates that the attack can be performed remotely over the network with low attack complexity, requires privileges (likely a logged-in user with some level of access), and user interaction (the victim must view the malicious content). The scope is changed, meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is low to medium, as the attacker can partially compromise user data and application behavior but not fully control the system. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches are linked yet, suggesting that mitigation may require manual intervention or monitoring until an official update is released.

For European organizations using WooCommerce with the affected WPFactory plugin, this vulnerability poses a tangible risk to both e-commerce operations and customer trust. Exploitation could allow attackers to steal session cookies or credentials of administrators or customers, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data such as personal information, payment details, and order histories. This can result in financial losses, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations due to data breaches), reputational damage, and potential legal consequences. The ability to execute arbitrary scripts also opens the door to phishing attacks or malware distribution through the compromised website. Since WooCommerce is widely used across Europe for online retail, especially by small and medium enterprises, the threat surface is significant. The requirement for some level of privilege and user interaction somewhat limits the attack vector but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with multiple users or administrators. The changed scope indicates that the vulnerability could affect other components or users beyond the initially targeted ones, amplifying potential damage.

European organizations should take immediate steps to mitigate this vulnerability. First, monitor WPFactory and WooCommerce plugin repositories for official patches and apply updates promptly once available. Until a patch is released, restrict plugin usage to trusted users only and limit privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce the risk of exploitation. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules specifically targeting suspicious input patterns related to email fields or other plugin inputs to block potential XSS payloads. Conduct thorough input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data within the plugin's scope, if custom modifications are feasible. Enable Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. Regularly audit user accounts and sessions for anomalies that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, educate administrators and users about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or content within the WooCommerce environment. Finally, maintain comprehensive backups and incident response plans tailored to web application attacks to ensure rapid recovery if exploitation occurs.