CVE-2025-53463 is a medium-severity vulnerability classified as CWE-79, indicating an improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as Cross-site Scripting (XSS). This specific vulnerability affects the WordPress plugin 'HT Mega – Absolute Addons for WPBakery Page Builder' developed by HT Plugins, in versions up to 1.0.9. The vulnerability is DOM-based XSS, meaning that malicious scripts are executed in the victim's browser by manipulating the Document Object Model (DOM) rather than through direct injection into the server response. Exploitation requires an attacker to trick a user with at least limited privileges (PR:L) into interacting with a crafted URL or payload (UI:R), which then executes malicious JavaScript in the context of the vulnerable site. The CVSS 3.1 score of 6.5 reflects a medium severity with network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L), user interaction (UI:R), and impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a limited extent (C:L/I:L/A:L). The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability affects components beyond the initially vulnerable module, potentially impacting the entire application or user session. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. This vulnerability could allow attackers to steal session tokens, perform actions on behalf of users, or manipulate page content, leading to potential account compromise or data leakage within affected WordPress sites using this plugin.

For European organizations, especially those relying on WordPress websites with the HT Mega – Absolute Addons for WPBakery Page Builder plugin, this vulnerability poses a risk of client-side attacks that can compromise user sessions and data confidentiality. Since the vulnerability requires at least limited user privileges and user interaction, it is particularly dangerous for sites with authenticated users such as customers, employees, or administrators. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized actions, data theft, or defacement, damaging organizational reputation and violating data protection regulations like GDPR if personal data is exposed. E-commerce platforms, government portals, and service providers using this plugin are at risk of targeted phishing or social engineering attacks leveraging this XSS flaw. The DOM-based nature means traditional server-side input validation may not be sufficient, increasing the complexity of detection and mitigation. Although no active exploits are reported, the medium severity and broad use of WordPress in Europe necessitate prompt attention to prevent potential exploitation.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the HT Mega – Absolute Addons for WPBakery Page Builder plugin and verify its version. Until an official patch is released, organizations should consider the following specific mitigations: 1) Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers with strict script-src directives to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the impact of DOM-based XSS. 2) Use Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) capable of detecting and blocking XSS payloads, with custom rules targeting known plugin parameters. 3) Educate users and administrators about the risk of clicking suspicious links or interacting with untrusted content related to the affected site. 4) Restrict user privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce the attack surface, especially for users who can interact with the vulnerable plugin features. 5) Monitor web server and application logs for unusual requests or patterns indicative of attempted exploitation. 6) Once available, promptly apply vendor patches or updates addressing this vulnerability. 7) Consider temporary disabling or replacing the plugin if the risk is deemed unacceptable and no patch is available. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on the plugin-specific context and DOM-based XSS characteristics.