CVE-2025-60177 is a medium severity vulnerability classified under CWE-79, which pertains to Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, commonly known as Cross-site Scripting (XSS). This vulnerability affects the 'rozx Recaptcha – wp' plugin, specifically versions up to 0.2.6. The flaw allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts that are stored persistently (Stored XSS) within the web application. When a victim accesses the affected page, the malicious script executes in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user. The CVSS 3.1 score is 5.9, indicating a medium level of severity, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), but requiring high privileges (PR:H) and user interaction (UI:R). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact includes low confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, but the stored nature of the XSS increases the risk of exploitation. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability arises due to insufficient sanitization or encoding of user-supplied input during web page generation, allowing malicious payloads to be embedded and persist within the application.

For European organizations using the 'rozx Recaptcha – wp' plugin, this vulnerability poses a tangible risk of client-side attacks that can compromise user trust and data security. Stored XSS can lead to theft of authentication cookies, enabling attackers to impersonate legitimate users, including administrators, which could result in unauthorized access to sensitive data or administrative functions. This can disrupt business operations, damage reputation, and potentially lead to regulatory non-compliance under GDPR if personal data is compromised. Since the vulnerability requires high privileges and user interaction, the risk is somewhat mitigated but remains significant in environments where multiple users have elevated access or where phishing/social engineering can be leveraged to induce interaction. The changed scope indicates that exploitation could affect other components or data beyond the plugin itself, increasing the potential damage. The absence of known exploits suggests organizations have a window to remediate before active attacks emerge.

Organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the 'rozx Recaptcha – wp' plugin and its version. Until an official patch is released, administrators should consider disabling or removing the plugin to eliminate exposure. Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block XSS payloads can provide interim protection. Additionally, enforcing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can help mitigate the impact of XSS by restricting script execution sources. User input should be sanitized and encoded properly at all points of entry and output, and privilege levels should be reviewed to minimize the number of users with high privileges (PR:H). Monitoring logs for unusual activities and educating users about phishing risks can reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation. Once a patch is available, prompt application of updates is critical. Finally, conducting regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on XSS vulnerabilities will help identify and remediate similar issues proactively.