CVE-2025-5084 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the WordPress plugin 'Post Grid Master – Custom Post Types, Taxonomies & Ajax Filter Everything with Infinite Scroll, Load More, Pagination & Shortcode Builder,' developed by mdshuvo. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 3.4.13. The root cause lies in improper input sanitization and output escaping of the 'argsArray['read_more_text']' parameter during web page generation. Specifically, the plugin fails to neutralize malicious script inputs, allowing unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. This injected code executes in the context of the victim's browser when they interact with a crafted link or page containing the malicious payload. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which pertains to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, a common vector for XSS attacks. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.1, indicating a medium severity level, with an attack vector of network (remote), low attack complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction (e.g., clicking a malicious link). The scope is changed, meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component. The impact affects confidentiality and integrity but not availability. No known public exploits have been reported yet. The vulnerability was published on July 24, 2025, and was reserved on May 22, 2025. No official patches or updates are listed, which suggests that users of the plugin should be cautious and monitor for vendor updates or consider mitigation strategies.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk primarily to websites and web applications built on WordPress that utilize the Post Grid Master plugin. Successful exploitation can lead to session hijacking, theft of sensitive user data, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites, compromising user trust and potentially violating data protection regulations such as GDPR. Since the attack requires user interaction but no authentication, it can be exploited against any visitor, including customers and employees. This can lead to reputational damage, legal consequences, and financial losses. Additionally, the reflected XSS can be used as a stepping stone for more complex attacks like phishing or malware distribution. Organizations relying on this plugin for content display and filtering may face disruptions in user experience and increased risk of data leakage. Given the widespread use of WordPress in Europe, especially among SMEs and content-driven businesses, the impact can be broad if not addressed promptly.

1. Immediate mitigation should include disabling or removing the Post Grid Master plugin until a secure patched version is released. 2. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block malicious payloads targeting the 'read_more_text' parameter. 3. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. 4. Educate users and administrators about the risks of clicking unknown or suspicious links. 5. Monitor web server logs and security alerts for unusual activity related to this parameter. 6. If plugin updates become available, apply them promptly after testing in a staging environment. 7. Consider using alternative plugins with better security track records for similar functionality. 8. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans focusing on input validation and output encoding practices. 9. For developers, ensure proper sanitization and escaping of all user-controllable inputs, especially those reflected in web pages.