CVE-2025-49042 is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability classified under CWE-79, found in the WooCommerce plugin developed by Automattic, affecting all versions up to 10.0.2. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, which allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts that are stored and later executed in the context of users visiting the affected web pages. This type of vulnerability can be exploited when an attacker with high privileges (such as an authenticated admin or shop manager) inputs crafted data that is not properly sanitized or encoded before being rendered in the browser. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/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 but requires privileges and user interaction. The scope is changed, meaning the vulnerability affects components beyond the initially vulnerable module, potentially impacting the entire application. Successful exploitation can lead to partial disclosure of sensitive information, modification of data, and disruption of service availability. Although no known exploits are reported in the wild, the presence of stored XSS in a widely used e-commerce platform poses a significant risk, especially given the sensitive nature of online retail environments. The vulnerability was reserved in May 2025 and published in October 2025, with no patch links currently available, indicating that mitigation may rely on vendor updates or workarounds.

For European organizations, especially those operating e-commerce platforms using WooCommerce, this vulnerability can lead to several adverse impacts. Stored XSS can enable attackers to hijack user sessions, steal cookies, deface websites, or perform actions on behalf of legitimate users, undermining customer trust and brand reputation. Confidential customer data, including payment and personal information, could be exposed or manipulated, leading to regulatory compliance issues under GDPR. The integrity of transaction data may be compromised, potentially resulting in financial losses or fraudulent activities. Availability impacts, while typically less severe in XSS, could arise from injected scripts causing service disruptions or redirecting users to malicious sites. The requirement for authenticated access limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, as insider threats or compromised accounts could be leveraged. European organizations with high volumes of online transactions and customer interactions are particularly vulnerable to reputational damage and regulatory penalties if exploited.

Organizations should prioritize updating WooCommerce to a patched version once released by Automattic. In the interim, implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data, especially in administrative interfaces. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the impact of XSS attacks. Limit administrative privileges to trusted personnel and enforce strong authentication mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication, to reduce the risk of account compromise. Conduct regular security audits and code reviews focusing on input handling in WooCommerce extensions and customizations. Monitor web application logs for unusual activities indicative of XSS exploitation attempts. Educate staff and users about phishing and social engineering tactics that could facilitate exploitation. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules tailored to detect and block XSS payloads targeting WooCommerce endpoints.