CVE-2025-53573 is a reflected Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the jegtheme Epic Review plugin, specifically affecting versions up to and including 1.0.2. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during the generation of web pages, which allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that is reflected back to users without proper sanitization. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when input parameters are included in the HTML output without adequate encoding or filtering. An attacker can craft a malicious URL containing a payload that, when clicked by a victim, executes arbitrary scripts in the victim's browser context. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.1 reflects a high severity, with the vector indicating network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), unchanged scope (S:U), no confidentiality impact (C:N), low integrity impact (I:L), and high availability impact (A:H). The high availability impact suggests that exploitation could disrupt service, possibly through script-based denial of service or defacement. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk to websites using the Epic Review plugin, especially those that display user-generated content or accept input parameters reflected in the page. The vulnerability was reserved in July 2025 and published in November 2025, with no patches currently linked, indicating that users should monitor vendor advisories closely. The reflected XSS nature means that exploitation requires user interaction, such as clicking a malicious link, but does not require authentication, making it accessible to remote attackers. This vulnerability can be leveraged for session hijacking, phishing, or delivering malware, impacting the integrity and availability of affected web applications.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-53573 can be significant, particularly for those relying on the Epic Review plugin to manage customer feedback or product reviews on their websites. Successful exploitation can lead to script injection that compromises the integrity of the website content, potentially defacing pages or injecting misleading information. The high availability impact indicates that attackers could disrupt service availability, causing denial of service conditions that affect user experience and business operations. While confidentiality is not directly impacted, attackers could use the vulnerability as a vector for social engineering attacks, phishing, or session hijacking, indirectly affecting user trust and data security. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, hospitality, and online services that depend on customer reviews are particularly vulnerable, as exploitation could damage reputation and customer confidence. Additionally, regulatory frameworks like GDPR emphasize protecting user data and maintaining service availability, so exploitation could lead to compliance issues and financial penalties. The lack of current known exploits provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the ease of exploitation and public exposure of the vulnerability necessitate urgent attention.

To mitigate CVE-2025-53573 effectively, European organizations should take several specific steps beyond generic advice. First, monitor the jegtheme vendor channels and trusted security advisories for the release of official patches or updates addressing this vulnerability, and apply them promptly. In the absence of patches, implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data reflected in web pages, ensuring that special characters are properly escaped to prevent script execution. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of inline scripts and limit sources of executable code, reducing the impact of potential XSS payloads. Additionally, consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules tailored to detect and block reflected XSS attack patterns targeting the Epic Review plugin. Conduct regular security testing, including automated scanning and manual penetration testing focused on input handling in the affected plugin. Educate web administrators and developers about the risks of reflected XSS and best coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities. Finally, implement robust incident response plans to quickly identify and remediate any exploitation attempts, minimizing operational disruption and reputational damage.