CVE-2025-49032 is a stored Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability classified under CWE-79, affecting the PublishPress Gutenberg Blocks plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, allowing malicious actors to inject and store arbitrary scripts within the content managed by the Gutenberg Blocks. When a victim views the affected page, the malicious script executes in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user. The vulnerability affects versions of the Gutenberg Blocks plugin up to 3.3.1, with no specific lower bound version provided. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium severity), with vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L, indicating that the attack can be launched remotely over the network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction, and impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a limited extent. The scope is changed, meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches or fixes have been linked yet. Stored XSS in a widely used WordPress plugin is significant because WordPress powers a large portion of websites globally, and Gutenberg Blocks are a common content editing interface. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could compromise site visitors or administrators, leading to broader compromise or defacement.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be substantial, especially for those relying on WordPress sites with PublishPress Gutenberg Blocks installed. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to user sessions, theft of sensitive data, and potential defacement or manipulation of website content. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to data breaches involving personal data protected under GDPR, and cause operational disruptions. Since the vulnerability requires low privileges but user interaction, phishing or social engineering could be used to trigger the exploit. The cross-site scripting could also be leveraged to distribute malware or conduct further attacks within the European digital ecosystem. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, government, education, and media, which often use WordPress, are particularly at risk. The medium severity score suggests a moderate but non-trivial risk that should be addressed promptly to prevent exploitation.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify if PublishPress Gutenberg Blocks plugin is installed and determine the version in use. Until an official patch is released, organizations should consider disabling or removing the plugin if it is not critical. For sites that must continue using the plugin, implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block typical XSS attack patterns targeting Gutenberg Blocks. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution and reduce the impact of potential XSS payloads. Conduct user training to reduce the risk of social engineering that could trigger user interaction-based exploits. Regularly monitor logs for suspicious activity related to content editing or unusual script injections. Once a patch is available, prioritize immediate application of updates. Additionally, perform thorough input validation and output encoding in custom blocks or extensions to prevent similar vulnerabilities.