CVE-2025-62097 identifies a DOM-based Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the SEOthemes SEO Slider plugin, a tool commonly used to create image sliders on websites. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during web page generation, specifically failing to sanitize or encode data before it is processed in the Document Object Model (DOM). This flaw allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of a victim's browser when they interact with the affected web page. The vulnerability affects all versions of SEO Slider up to 1.1.1, with no patches currently available. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.5 reflects a medium severity, with an attack vector of network (remote exploitation), low attack complexity, requiring low privileges and user interaction, and a scope change indicating that exploitation can affect components beyond the vulnerable plugin. The impact includes potential leakage of sensitive information (confidentiality), unauthorized modification of web content or user data (integrity), and disruption of service or user experience (availability). Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a credible risk to websites using this plugin, especially those handling sensitive user data or financial transactions. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, a common and well-understood category of web application security flaws.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-62097 can be significant, particularly for businesses relying on WordPress websites with the SEO Slider plugin installed. Exploitation could lead to session hijacking, enabling attackers to impersonate legitimate users and access sensitive information such as personal data, credentials, or payment details. This can result in data breaches, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations), reputational damage, and financial losses. Additionally, attackers could deface websites or inject malicious content, undermining customer trust and potentially spreading malware to visitors. The availability of the website or specific functionalities may also be impaired, affecting business continuity. Given the medium severity and the requirement for user interaction, the risk is moderate but non-negligible, especially for high-traffic or e-commerce sites. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests a window of opportunity for proactive mitigation before widespread attacks occur.

1. Monitor official SEOthemes channels and security advisories for patches or updates addressing CVE-2025-62097 and apply them promptly once available. 2. Implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data processed by the SEO Slider plugin or the website in general, focusing on sanitizing inputs that are reflected in the DOM. 3. Deploy Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the impact of potential XSS attacks. 4. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing on websites using the SEO Slider plugin to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. 5. Educate website administrators and developers about secure coding practices related to DOM manipulation and XSS prevention. 6. Consider disabling or replacing the SEO Slider plugin with a more secure alternative if immediate patching is not feasible. 7. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block XSS attack patterns targeting the affected plugin. 8. Encourage users to avoid clicking suspicious links or interacting with untrusted content that could trigger the vulnerability.