CVE-2025-49244 is a Stored Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability classified under CWE-79, affecting the Vova Shortcodes Ultimate plugin, specifically versions up to 7.3.5. This vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, allowing malicious scripts to be stored and later executed in the context of users' browsers when they access affected pages. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network (AV:N), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), but does require privileges (PR:L) and user interaction (UI:R) to trigger. The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a limited extent (C:L/I:L/A:L). Stored XSS can be leveraged by attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, or deliver further malware payloads. Although no known exploits are currently observed in the wild, the vulnerability's presence in a widely used WordPress plugin for shortcode management poses a significant risk, especially for websites that allow user-generated content or have multiple users with varying privilege levels. The lack of available patches at the time of publication further increases the urgency for mitigation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, session hijacking, and potential defacement or disruption of web services. Organizations relying on WordPress sites with the Shortcodes Ultimate plugin are at risk of attackers injecting malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of site visitors or administrators. This can compromise user data privacy, damage organizational reputation, and potentially lead to regulatory non-compliance under GDPR due to data breaches. The medium severity rating indicates a moderate risk, but the potential for chained attacks or exploitation in targeted campaigns cannot be discounted. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, which often use WordPress for public-facing sites, may face increased risks from exploitation attempts.

1. Immediate audit of all WordPress installations to identify the presence and version of the Shortcodes Ultimate plugin. 2. Disable or remove the Shortcodes Ultimate plugin until a security patch is released. 3. Implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user inputs and shortcode outputs to prevent script injection. 4. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block typical XSS payloads targeting this vulnerability. 5. Monitor web server and application logs for unusual or suspicious requests indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. Educate site administrators and users about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or executing untrusted scripts. 7. Once a patch is available, prioritize prompt testing and deployment. 8. Consider using Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution sources, mitigating impact if exploitation occurs.