CVE-2025-54683 is a reflected Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability classified under CWE-79, affecting the WordPress plugin 'WP Modal Popup with Cookie Integration' developed by Astoundify. This vulnerability arises due to improper neutralization of user-supplied input during web page generation, allowing malicious scripts to be injected and executed in the context of a victim's browser. Specifically, the flaw exists in versions up to 2.4 of the plugin, where input parameters are not adequately sanitized or encoded before being reflected back in the HTML output. An attacker can craft a specially crafted URL containing malicious JavaScript code that, when visited by an authenticated user (as the CVSS vector indicates a requirement for privileges and user interaction), executes in the victim’s browser. This can lead to theft of session cookies, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.9 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack requires network access, low attack complexity, high privileges, and user interaction, with impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability being limited but present. 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 manual workarounds. The vulnerability’s scope is 'changed', meaning it affects components beyond the vulnerable plugin, potentially impacting the overall WordPress site security posture.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to websites using the WP Modal Popup with Cookie Integration plugin. Given that WordPress powers a significant portion of websites in Europe, including many small and medium enterprises, NGOs, and public sector portals, exploitation could lead to session hijacking, unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or phishing through injected scripts. The requirement for high privileges and user interaction limits mass exploitation but does not eliminate targeted attacks, especially against administrative users or authenticated customers. Confidentiality of user data could be compromised, and integrity of website content could be affected, potentially damaging organizational reputation and trust. Additionally, availability impacts, though limited, could disrupt user experience. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but also means organizations should proactively address the issue to prevent future attacks.

Organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the WP Modal Popup with Cookie Integration plugin and its version. Until an official patch is released, consider disabling or removing the plugin if it is not critical. For sites requiring the plugin, implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block reflected XSS attack patterns targeting the plugin’s parameters. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict execution of unauthorized scripts. Educate users, especially administrators, to avoid clicking on suspicious links. Regularly monitor logs for unusual requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. Once a vendor patch is available, prioritize prompt application. Additionally, review and harden user privilege assignments to minimize the number of users with high privileges, reducing the attack surface. Employ security plugins that sanitize inputs and outputs to provide an additional layer of defense.