CVE-2025-50038 is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability classified under CWE-79, affecting the Anant Addons for Elementor plugin up to version 1.2.0. This vulnerability arises due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, allowing malicious scripts to be stored and later executed in the context of users visiting the affected web pages. Specifically, the plugin fails to adequately sanitize or encode user-supplied input before rendering it on web pages, enabling attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. The vulnerability requires an attacker with at least low privileges (PR:L) and some user interaction (UI:R) to exploit, but it can lead to significant consequences including partial compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L), but requiring some privileges and user interaction. The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that exploitation can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. Stored XSS vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because the malicious payload persists on the server and can affect multiple users, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, defacement, or distribution of malware. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches or updates have been published at the time of analysis. The vulnerability affects websites using the Anant Addons for Elementor plugin, a popular extension for the Elementor page builder in WordPress environments, which is widely used for creating dynamic and customizable web content.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to websites and web applications built on WordPress that utilize the Anant Addons for Elementor plugin. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized script execution in the browsers of site visitors or administrators, potentially resulting in theft of sensitive information such as authentication tokens, personal data, or business-critical information. This can undermine user trust, lead to regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations due to data leakage), and cause reputational damage. Additionally, attackers might leverage the vulnerability to perform further attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within the affected organization’s infrastructure. The impact is especially significant for organizations with customer-facing websites, e-commerce platforms, or portals handling sensitive user data. Given the plugin’s integration with Elementor, which is widely adopted across various sectors including SMEs, media, and public institutions in Europe, the threat surface is considerable. However, the requirement for some privileges and user interaction reduces the likelihood of mass exploitation but does not eliminate targeted attacks against high-value entities.

Implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data within the Anant Addons plugin context to neutralize malicious scripts. Apply Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the impact of potential XSS payloads. Monitor and audit user inputs and plugin-generated content for suspicious or unexpected scripts, especially in administrative interfaces. Limit user privileges rigorously to minimize the number of users who can submit content that is rendered without proper sanitization. Regularly update WordPress core, Elementor, and all related plugins to the latest versions once the vendor releases a patch addressing this vulnerability. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules specifically designed to detect and block XSS attack patterns targeting known plugin vulnerabilities. Educate site administrators and content editors about the risks of stored XSS and safe content management practices to reduce inadvertent exposure. Conduct periodic security assessments and penetration testing focusing on plugin components to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities proactively.