CVE-2025-6236 is a vulnerability identified in the Hostel WordPress plugin versions prior to 1.1.5.9. The issue arises because the plugin fails to properly sanitize and escape certain settings inputs. This flaw allows users with high privileges, such as administrators, to inject and store malicious scripts within the plugin's settings. The vulnerability is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack classified under CWE-79. Notably, this vulnerability can be exploited even when the WordPress unfiltered_html capability is disabled, such as in multisite environments, which typically restricts the ability to post unfiltered HTML. The exploitation requires the attacker to have high-level access (admin privileges) to the WordPress backend, where they can input malicious JavaScript payloads that will be stored and later executed in the context of other users viewing the affected pages or settings. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk because stored XSS can lead to session hijacking, privilege escalation, defacement, or distribution of malware. The absence of a CVSS score indicates that this vulnerability is newly published and has not yet been fully assessed for severity. The vulnerability affects the Hostel plugin, which is used to manage hostel or accommodation bookings on WordPress sites, and is relevant to any WordPress installation using this plugin prior to version 1.1.5.9.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be substantial, especially for those relying on WordPress sites with the Hostel plugin to manage accommodation services or bookings. Exploitation could allow an attacker with admin access to inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of other users, potentially leading to theft of session cookies, unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or distribution of malware. This could result in data breaches involving personal information of customers or employees, reputational damage, and disruption of business operations. In multisite WordPress setups common in larger organizations or agencies, the risk is heightened because the vulnerability bypasses the unfiltered_html restriction, potentially affecting multiple sites within the network. Given the hospitality and accommodation sectors' importance in Europe, including tourism-heavy countries, such a vulnerability could also impact customer trust and regulatory compliance, especially under GDPR, if personal data is compromised.

1. Immediate upgrade: Organizations should promptly update the Hostel plugin to version 1.1.5.9 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. 2. Privilege review: Restrict admin-level access to trusted personnel only and regularly audit user permissions to minimize the risk of malicious insiders exploiting this vulnerability. 3. Input validation: Implement additional server-side input validation and sanitization for plugin settings if custom modifications are used. 4. Web Application Firewall (WAF): Deploy a WAF with rules to detect and block common XSS payloads targeting WordPress plugins. 5. Content Security Policy (CSP): Configure CSP headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts on affected web pages. 6. Monitoring and logging: Enable detailed logging of administrative actions and monitor for unusual activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. 7. Backup and recovery: Maintain regular backups of the WordPress environment to enable quick restoration in case of compromise. 8. User awareness: Educate administrators about the risks of stored XSS and the importance of cautious input handling.