CVE-2025-49062 is a high-severity reflected Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the WP-jScrollPane plugin developed by cornfeed, specifically versions up to and including 2.0.3. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, categorized under CWE-79. This flaw allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. Because it is a reflected XSS, the malicious payload is typically delivered via a crafted URL or request that is immediately reflected back in the server's response without proper sanitization or encoding. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1 reflects the vulnerability's characteristics: it can be exploited remotely over the network (AV:N), requires no privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R), and impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a limited extent (C:L/I:L/A:L). The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that exploitation can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's nature and ease of exploitation make it a significant risk. WP-jScrollPane is a WordPress plugin used to enhance scroll pane functionality, and its improper input handling during page generation allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a tangible risk, especially for those relying on WordPress sites utilizing the WP-jScrollPane plugin. Successful exploitation can lead to theft of user credentials, session tokens, or other sensitive information, undermining confidentiality. Integrity can be compromised if attackers inject malicious scripts that alter displayed content or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users. Availability impact is generally limited but could occur if injected scripts disrupt normal site functionality or cause crashes. Given the widespread use of WordPress across Europe for corporate, governmental, and e-commerce websites, the vulnerability could facilitate phishing campaigns, spread malware, or enable further attacks within organizational networks. The reflected nature means attacks often require tricking users into clicking malicious links, which can be effective in targeted spear-phishing campaigns against European entities. Additionally, the vulnerability could undermine trust in affected websites, damaging reputation and compliance posture under regulations like GDPR if personal data is compromised.

Organizations should immediately identify if their WordPress installations use the WP-jScrollPane plugin and verify the version. Since no patch links are currently available, temporary mitigations include disabling or removing the plugin until a secure update is released. Web application firewalls (WAFs) should be configured to detect and block typical reflected XSS attack patterns targeting this plugin. Input validation and output encoding should be enforced at the application level, especially for parameters reflected in responses. Security teams should monitor web logs for suspicious requests containing script tags or unusual payloads. User awareness training to recognize phishing attempts involving suspicious URLs can reduce the risk of exploitation. Once a patch is released, prompt application of updates is critical. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can help mitigate the impact of injected scripts by restricting script execution sources.