CVE-2025-58197 is a stored Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Simple Download Monitor plugin developed by mra13 / Team Tips and Tricks HQ. This vulnerability arises due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, classified under CWE-79. Specifically, the plugin fails to adequately sanitize or encode user-supplied input before rendering it in web pages, allowing malicious scripts to be stored and subsequently executed in the context of users visiting the affected web pages. The affected versions include all versions up to and including 3.9.34. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. The CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L) reveals that the attack can be executed remotely over the network with low attack complexity, requires privileges (likely a contributor or editor role) and user interaction (victim must visit a crafted page). The scope is changed, meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a limited extent, as the attacker can execute arbitrary scripts in the victim’s browser, potentially stealing session tokens, defacing content, or performing actions on behalf of the user. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches are linked yet, indicating that remediation may be pending or in progress. Stored XSS vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because malicious payloads persist on the server and affect multiple users, increasing the attack surface and potential damage.

For European organizations using the Simple Download Monitor plugin, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to web application security. Attackers exploiting this flaw can execute arbitrary JavaScript in the browsers of users with certain privileges, potentially leading to session hijacking, unauthorized actions, or data leakage. This can undermine user trust, damage brand reputation, and lead to regulatory non-compliance, especially under GDPR where personal data exposure is involved. Organizations operating e-commerce, content distribution, or customer portals using this plugin are at risk of targeted attacks. The vulnerability’s requirement for some level of privilege and user interaction somewhat limits exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with many users or contributors. Additionally, the scope change means that the impact may extend beyond the plugin itself, potentially affecting other integrated systems or data. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but should not lead to complacency. European organizations must prioritize patching or mitigating this vulnerability to prevent exploitation, particularly those in sectors with high web exposure such as retail, media, and public services.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting user roles and privileges to the minimum necessary, especially limiting who can submit or edit content that is rendered by the Simple Download Monitor plugin. 2. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block common XSS payload patterns targeting this plugin. 3. Apply strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of inline scripts and reduce the impact of potential XSS payloads. 4. Monitor web logs and user activity for suspicious inputs or unusual behavior indicative of attempted exploitation. 5. Update the Simple Download Monitor plugin to the latest version as soon as an official patch is released by the vendor. 6. Conduct code reviews and penetration testing focused on input validation and output encoding in the affected plugin and related components. 7. Educate users with editing privileges about the risks of XSS and safe content handling practices. 8. Consider temporary disabling or replacing the plugin if patching is delayed and risk is deemed high.