CVE-2025-49923 identifies a DOM-based Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Seriously Simple Podcasting plugin for WordPress, developed by Craig Hewitt. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, allowing malicious scripts to be injected and executed within the victim’s browser context. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 3.11.1. The attack vector is remote (network), with low attack complexity and no privileges required, but user interaction is necessary (e.g., clicking a malicious link). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality and integrity by enabling attackers to steal sensitive information such as cookies, session tokens, or perform actions on behalf of the user. Availability is not impacted. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 score of 6.1, reflecting medium severity. No public exploits are currently known, but the presence of this vulnerability in a popular WordPress plugin used for podcasting increases the risk of targeted attacks. The plugin’s widespread use in content management and media distribution platforms makes it a valuable target for attackers aiming to compromise user sessions or inject malicious content. The vulnerability’s DOM-based nature means the malicious payload is executed client-side, complicating detection and mitigation without proper input sanitization and output encoding.

For European organizations, especially those operating WordPress sites with the Seriously Simple Podcasting plugin, this vulnerability poses a risk of session hijacking, data theft, and unauthorized actions performed in the context of authenticated users. Media companies, podcast producers, and content platforms are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on this plugin. Successful exploitation could lead to compromised user accounts, leakage of sensitive user data, and reputational damage. Given the plugin’s role in content delivery, attackers might also manipulate podcast content or redirect users to malicious sites, potentially impacting brand trust and user safety. The medium severity rating indicates a moderate but significant risk, especially if combined with other vulnerabilities or social engineering tactics. The lack of known exploits currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future attacks once details become widely known. Organizations failing to update or implement mitigations may face targeted attacks, especially in countries with high WordPress usage and active podcasting industries.

1. Monitor for official patches or updates from the Seriously Simple Podcasting plugin developer and apply them immediately upon release. 2. Implement strict Content Security Policies (CSP) to restrict the execution of untrusted scripts and reduce the impact of XSS attacks. 3. Use Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules tailored to detect and block XSS payloads targeting WordPress plugins. 4. Conduct regular security audits and code reviews of customizations related to the plugin to ensure proper input validation and output encoding. 5. Educate users and administrators about the risks of clicking untrusted links and encourage cautious behavior to reduce the likelihood of user interaction exploitation. 6. Employ security plugins that sanitize inputs and outputs within WordPress environments to add an additional layer of defense. 7. Limit plugin usage to trusted administrators and restrict permissions to minimize potential damage from compromised accounts. 8. Monitor logs and user activity for unusual behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts.