CVE-2025-53573 identifies a reflected Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the jegtheme Epic Review plugin, versions up to and including 1.0.2. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during the generation of web pages, allowing malicious scripts to be injected and reflected back to users. This reflected XSS does not require prior authentication but does require user interaction, such as clicking on a specially crafted URL. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1 reflects its high severity, with an attack vector of network (remote), low attack complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction. The impact primarily affects the integrity and availability of the affected web application, as attackers can execute arbitrary scripts in the context of the victim’s browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites. Confidentiality is not directly impacted according to the CVSS vector. No patches or fixes are currently linked, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild, indicating that the vulnerability is newly disclosed. The vulnerability affects websites using the Epic Review plugin, which is commonly deployed on WordPress sites to manage user reviews. The lack of proper input sanitization and output encoding during page generation is the root cause, making it possible for attackers to inject JavaScript payloads that execute when a victim accesses a maliciously crafted URL. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in web plugins, especially those handling user-generated content.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-53573 can be significant, particularly for those relying on the Epic Review plugin to manage customer reviews or feedback on their websites. Exploitation can lead to malicious script execution in users' browsers, enabling attackers to hijack user sessions, steal cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, or redirect users to phishing or malware sites. This can damage brand reputation, erode customer trust, and potentially lead to regulatory scrutiny under GDPR if personal data is compromised. The reflected XSS nature means that attacks require user interaction, but phishing campaigns can be used to lure users into clicking malicious links. The availability of the website or specific functionalities could be disrupted through script-based attacks, impacting business operations. Since the vulnerability does not require authentication, any visitor to the affected site is a potential target, increasing the attack surface. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, hospitality, and online services, which often use review plugins, are at higher risk. Additionally, the lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation before widespread attacks occur.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on updating the Epic Review plugin to a patched version once available from the vendor. 2. Until a patch is released, implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data fields related to the plugin, ensuring that special characters are properly escaped to prevent script injection. 3. Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules specifically designed to detect and block reflected XSS payloads targeting the Epic Review plugin endpoints. 4. Educate users and administrators about the risks of clicking on suspicious links, especially those purporting to be related to reviews or feedback. 5. Conduct thorough security testing and code review of the plugin’s input handling to identify and remediate other potential injection points. 6. Monitor web server and application logs for unusual request patterns or error messages indicative of attempted exploitation. 7. Consider disabling or replacing the Epic Review plugin with alternative solutions that follow secure coding standards if immediate patching is not feasible. 8. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers accessing the site. These measures collectively reduce the risk of exploitation and limit the potential damage from successful attacks.