CVE-2025-53984 is a stored Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Crocoblock JetTabs plugin, affecting versions up to 2.2.9. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79, which involves improper neutralization of input during web page generation. Specifically, this flaw allows an attacker with at least low privileges (PR:L) and requiring user interaction (UI:R) to inject malicious scripts that are persistently stored and later executed in the context of users viewing the affected pages. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L), but requires some level of authentication and user interaction. The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can impact resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a low level (C:L, I:L, A:L). Stored XSS vulnerabilities like this can lead to session hijacking, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites, potentially compromising user data and trust. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, indicating that mitigation may rely on vendor updates or temporary workarounds. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input sanitization or output encoding in the JetTabs plugin, which is used to create tabbed content on WordPress sites. Attackers can exploit this by injecting malicious JavaScript payloads into tabs that are then rendered and executed in the browsers of users who access those tabs.

For European organizations, especially those using WordPress sites with the Crocoblock JetTabs plugin, this vulnerability poses a risk of client-side attacks that can compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, or deliver malware. Given the medium severity and the requirement for some authentication and user interaction, the threat is more significant for sites with multiple users or where users have elevated privileges. The impact on confidentiality and integrity, although low, can lead to reputational damage and regulatory consequences under GDPR if personal data is compromised. Additionally, availability impact, while low, could disrupt user experience and business operations. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, finance, healthcare, and government that rely on WordPress and Crocoblock products should be particularly vigilant. The stored nature of the XSS means that once injected, the malicious script can affect multiple users over time, increasing the risk of widespread compromise. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often develop exploits rapidly after public disclosure.

1. Immediate mitigation should include disabling or restricting access to the JetTabs plugin until a vendor patch is available. 2. Implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data within the plugin, particularly for tab content fields. 3. Use Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with updated rules to detect and block common XSS payloads targeting JetTabs. 4. Enforce Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. 5. Limit user privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce the risk of authenticated attackers injecting malicious content. 6. Monitor logs and user activity for unusual input patterns or script injections related to JetTabs. 7. Educate site administrators and users about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or interacting with untrusted content. 8. Regularly update WordPress core, themes, and plugins to incorporate security patches promptly once released. 9. Consider alternative tab management plugins with a stronger security track record if immediate patching is not feasible.