CVE-2025-57911 is a Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability classified under CWE-79, affecting the WPFactory Adverts plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically enabling DOM-based XSS attacks. In this context, malicious input is not properly sanitized or escaped before being incorporated into the Document Object Model (DOM) of a web page, allowing an attacker to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser environment. The affected versions include all releases up to version 1.4 of the Adverts plugin. The vulnerability requires that the attacker have at least some level of privileges (PR:L - low privileges) and user interaction (UI:R - requires user interaction) to exploit. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), meaning exploitation can occur remotely over the internet. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:L/I:L/A:L) of the affected systems, with a scope that is changed (S:C), indicating that exploitation can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, categorizing it as a medium severity issue. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches or updates have been linked yet. The vulnerability is significant because WordPress is a widely used content management system, and the Adverts plugin is used for managing classified ads or advertisements on websites, which may handle user-generated content. DOM-based XSS can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites, impacting both site administrators and visitors. Since the vulnerability requires user interaction, typical exploitation scenarios involve tricking users into clicking crafted links or visiting malicious pages that trigger the injected scripts.

For European organizations using WordPress sites with the WPFactory Adverts plugin, this vulnerability poses a risk of client-side attacks that can compromise user data and site integrity. The exploitation could lead to theft of session cookies, enabling attackers to impersonate legitimate users, including administrators, potentially leading to unauthorized access or site defacement. The integrity of advertised content could be manipulated, damaging brand reputation and user trust. Additionally, attackers could use the vulnerability to distribute malware or phishing content to site visitors, increasing the risk of broader compromise. Given the medium severity and requirement for user interaction, the impact is significant but not catastrophic. However, organizations in sectors with high user engagement or handling sensitive user data (e.g., e-commerce, classifieds, real estate) may face increased risks. The vulnerability could also be leveraged in targeted attacks against European organizations, especially those with public-facing WordPress sites relying on this plugin. The changed scope (S:C) indicates that the impact could extend beyond the plugin itself, potentially affecting other site components or user sessions.

1. Immediate mitigation involves disabling or removing the WPFactory Adverts plugin until a security patch is released. 2. Monitor official WPFactory channels and trusted vulnerability databases for updates or patches addressing CVE-2025-57911. 3. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts, reducing the risk of XSS exploitation. 4. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules tailored to detect and block XSS payloads targeting the Adverts plugin. 5. Conduct thorough input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data within the plugin's configuration or customizations, if possible. 6. Educate site administrators and users about the risks of clicking suspicious links or interacting with untrusted content to mitigate user interaction requirements for exploitation. 7. Regularly audit WordPress plugins for security compliance and consider alternatives with better security track records if timely patches are not forthcoming. 8. Review and restrict user privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce the risk posed by low-privilege attackers.