CVE-2025-5259 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the Minimal Share Buttons plugin for WordPress, developed by gonzomir. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 1.7.3 due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically through the 'align' parameter. The root cause is insufficient input sanitization and output escaping, which allows an authenticated attacker with Contributor-level access or higher to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages. When other users visit these compromised pages, the malicious scripts execute in their browsers. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.4 (medium severity), with an attack vector of network (remote), low attack complexity, privileges required at a low level (Contributor), no user interaction needed, and a scope change indicating that the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact includes limited confidentiality and integrity loss but no availability impact. Stored XSS can be leveraged for session hijacking, privilege escalation, defacement, or delivering further malware payloads. No known public exploits have been reported yet, and no official patches are currently available. The vulnerability was published on May 30, 2025, and assigned by Wordfence. Since the attack requires authenticated access at Contributor level, it is not trivially exploitable by anonymous users, but still poses a significant risk in environments where multiple users have such privileges or where Contributor accounts can be compromised or created by attackers.

For European organizations using WordPress sites with the Minimal Share Buttons plugin, this vulnerability poses a risk of persistent XSS attacks that can compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, or manipulate site content. This is particularly concerning for organizations with multi-user WordPress environments, such as media companies, educational institutions, and e-commerce platforms, where contributors or editors have access. The vulnerability could lead to reputational damage, data leakage, and potential regulatory non-compliance under GDPR if personal data is exposed or manipulated. Since the attack scope includes cross-user impact, it can affect site visitors and administrators alike. The lack of availability impact reduces the risk of service disruption, but the integrity and confidentiality risks remain significant. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently lowers immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often weaponize such vulnerabilities rapidly after disclosure.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the Minimal Share Buttons plugin and verify its version. Until an official patch is released, administrators should consider disabling or removing the plugin to eliminate the attack surface. Restrict Contributor-level access strictly to trusted users and review user roles and permissions to minimize the number of accounts that can exploit this vulnerability. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules that detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting the 'align' parameter or other plugin inputs. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to mitigate the impact of injected scripts by restricting script execution sources. Monitor logs for unusual activity related to user input and page content changes. Educate site administrators and contributors about the risks of XSS and the importance of cautious input handling. Once a patch is available, prioritize timely updates and test the plugin in a staging environment before deployment. Additionally, consider using security plugins that provide XSS protection and input sanitization as a layered defense.