CVE-2025-5290 is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Borderless – Elementor Addons and Templates plugin for WordPress, developed by visualmodo. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.7.1. The root cause is improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically insufficient sanitization and output escaping of the 'title' parameter. An authenticated attacker with Contributor-level access or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary malicious scripts into pages. These scripts execute in the context of any user who visits the compromised page, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.4, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based with low attack complexity, requiring privileges (Contributor or above) but no user interaction for exploitation. The scope is changed, meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially compromised component, and it impacts confidentiality and integrity but not availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been officially released at the time of this report. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which is a common and well-understood web application security issue related to cross-site scripting.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those relying on WordPress websites utilizing the Borderless – Elementor Addons and Templates plugin. The ability for an attacker with Contributor-level access to inject persistent malicious scripts can lead to data theft, including user credentials and sensitive information, as well as unauthorized actions performed under the guise of legitimate users. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations due to data breaches), and cause financial losses. Since WordPress is widely used across Europe for corporate, governmental, and e-commerce websites, the potential impact is broad. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to target internal users or customers, potentially escalating privileges or spreading malware. The lack of user interaction required for exploitation increases the risk of automated or large-scale attacks once the vulnerability is weaponized. Additionally, the compromise of websites can be used as a vector for supply chain attacks or to distribute misinformation, which is particularly sensitive in the European context given the focus on information integrity and cybersecurity resilience.

European organizations should prioritize the following specific actions: 1) Immediately audit WordPress installations to identify the presence of the Borderless – Elementor Addons and Templates plugin and verify the version in use. 2) Restrict Contributor-level access strictly to trusted users and review user roles and permissions to minimize the number of users who can exploit this vulnerability. 3) Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious payloads targeting the 'title' parameter in HTTP requests. 4) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts on affected websites. 5) Monitor website content and logs for unusual script injections or modifications indicative of exploitation attempts. 6) Engage with the plugin vendor or community to obtain or develop patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 7) Educate website administrators and content contributors about the risks of XSS and safe content management practices. 8) Consider deploying runtime application self-protection (RASP) solutions that can detect and block malicious script execution in real-time. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control, proactive detection, and layered defenses tailored to the specific vulnerability vector.