CVE-2025-50025 is a Stored Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability classified under CWE-79, affecting the CP Polls plugin developed by codepeople, specifically versions up to and including 1.0.81. Stored XSS vulnerabilities occur when an application improperly neutralizes or sanitizes user-supplied input before including it in dynamically generated web pages. In this case, malicious scripts injected by an attacker are permanently stored on the server (e.g., in a database or persistent storage) and subsequently served to other users without proper encoding or sanitization. This vulnerability allows an attacker with authenticated access (as indicated by the CVSS vector requiring high privileges and user interaction) to inject malicious JavaScript code into poll data or related input fields. When other users view the affected poll pages, the malicious script executes in their browsers within the context of the vulnerable site, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or distribution of malware. The CVSS score of 5.9 (medium severity) reflects that exploitation requires network access, low attack complexity, high privileges, and user interaction, with a scope change indicating that the vulnerability affects components beyond the initially vulnerable module. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all rated low but present. No patches are currently available, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date (June 20, 2025). The vulnerability is significant in environments where CP Polls is used, especially in intranet or extranet portals where authenticated users participate in polls or surveys, as the stored XSS can affect multiple users and potentially escalate privileges or compromise sensitive information.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-50025 can be considerable in sectors relying on CP Polls for internal or external user engagement, such as government portals, educational institutions, and corporate intranets. Stored XSS can lead to unauthorized access to user sessions, data leakage, and manipulation of poll results, undermining trust and data integrity. Since the vulnerability requires authenticated access and user interaction, insider threats or compromised accounts could be leveraged to exploit this flaw. The scope change in the CVSS vector suggests that the vulnerability could affect multiple components or users beyond the initial entry point, increasing the risk of widespread impact within an organization. Additionally, exploitation could facilitate lateral movement or serve as a foothold for further attacks, especially in environments with sensitive data or critical infrastructure. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, particularly as attackers may develop exploits over time. European organizations must be aware of this vulnerability to prevent potential reputational damage, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR implications from data breaches), and operational disruptions.

Implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data fields within CP Polls, especially those that are stored and later rendered in web pages. Apply Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the impact of potential XSS payloads. Restrict poll creation and editing privileges to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of malicious input from untrusted sources. Monitor and audit user-generated content regularly for suspicious scripts or anomalies that could indicate exploitation attempts. Isolate the CP Polls plugin environment using web application firewalls (WAFs) configured to detect and block XSS attack patterns. Encourage the vendor (codepeople) to release a security patch promptly; meanwhile, consider disabling or limiting the use of CP Polls in critical environments. Educate users about the risks of interacting with untrusted content and the importance of logging out from authenticated sessions when not in use. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the risk of account compromise that could lead to exploitation.