CVE-2025-58855 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in the AP HoneyPot WordPress Plugin developed by Denis V (Artprima). The vulnerability is classified under CWE-1236, which pertains to improper neutralization of formula elements in CSV files. Specifically, this flaw allows an attacker to inject malicious formula elements into CSV files generated or processed by the plugin. When these CSV files are opened in spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel or LibreOffice Calc, the embedded formulas can execute unintended commands or scripts, leading to a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack. The vulnerability affects all versions of the AP HoneyPot plugin up to and including version 1.4. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.1, indicating a high severity level, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring user interaction (UI:R). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects components beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact metrics show low confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts individually, but combined they are significant. No patches or known exploits in the wild have been reported as of the publication date (September 5, 2025). The vulnerability arises because the plugin does not properly sanitize or neutralize formula elements in CSV files, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that execute when the file is opened by a user, potentially leading to data theft, session hijacking, or further system compromise via XSS vectors.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk especially to those relying on the AP HoneyPot WordPress plugin for spam or bot detection on their websites. The reflected XSS via CSV formula injection can lead to unauthorized execution of scripts in the context of the victim's browser, potentially exposing sensitive data such as authentication tokens, user credentials, or internal network information. This can facilitate further attacks like privilege escalation or lateral movement within the organization. Additionally, since CSV files are commonly used for data exchange and reporting, the risk extends to any user who downloads and opens these files, increasing the attack surface. The impact is particularly critical for organizations handling sensitive personal data under GDPR, as exploitation could lead to data breaches and regulatory penalties. The availability impact, while rated low individually, could manifest if attackers use the vulnerability to disrupt services or corrupt data. The requirement for user interaction (opening the CSV file) means social engineering or phishing tactics might be employed, increasing the risk in environments with less security awareness.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should: 1) Immediately review and restrict the use of the AP HoneyPot WordPress plugin, especially versions up to 1.4, and monitor for updates or patches from the vendor. 2) Implement strict input validation and sanitization on any CSV file content generated or processed by the plugin, specifically neutralizing formula characters such as '=', '+', '-', and '@' at the beginning of cells to prevent formula injection. 3) Educate users on the risks of opening CSV files from untrusted sources and encourage the use of spreadsheet software settings that disable automatic formula execution or enable 'safe mode' when opening CSV files. 4) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers and other web application security controls to limit the impact of reflected XSS attacks. 5) Monitor web server logs and user activity for unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. 6) Consider alternative plugins or security solutions that do not have this vulnerability. 7) Regularly audit and update WordPress plugins to ensure vulnerabilities are patched promptly. 8) Use endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block malicious scripts or payloads resulting from such attacks.