CVE-2025-62894 is a Stored Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the magicoders ACF Recent Posts Widget plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 5.9.3. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during the generation of web pages, allowing malicious actors to inject and store arbitrary JavaScript code within the widget's content. When an unsuspecting user visits a page containing the vulnerable widget, the malicious script executes in their browser context. This can lead to a range of attacks including session hijacking, theft of sensitive information, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user, and potential malware distribution. The vulnerability does not require authentication, meaning any attacker capable of injecting input into the widget's data source can exploit it. However, exploitation requires the attacker to find a vector to insert malicious content that the widget will render. Currently, there are no known public exploits or patches available, increasing the risk window for affected users. The plugin is commonly used in WordPress environments to display recent posts, making it a popular target. The lack of a CVSS score necessitates an assessment based on impact and exploitability factors. Stored XSS vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous due to their persistent nature and ability to affect multiple users. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used WordPress plugin raises concerns about widespread exposure, especially for websites with high user interaction or administrative access. The technical details indicate the issue was reserved and published in late October 2025, with no immediate remediation steps documented yet.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses significant risks to the confidentiality and integrity of user data and the availability of web services. Exploitation could allow attackers to hijack user sessions, steal credentials, or perform unauthorized actions, potentially leading to data breaches or defacement of websites. Organizations relying on the affected plugin for content display may suffer reputational damage and loss of user trust if exploited. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that once injected, malicious scripts can affect all visitors to the compromised site until the vulnerability is remediated. This is particularly critical for e-commerce, government, and financial services websites prevalent in Europe, where data protection regulations like GDPR impose strict requirements on safeguarding user data. Additionally, attackers could use the vulnerability as a foothold to escalate attacks within the network or distribute malware, increasing the overall threat landscape. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a limited window for proactive mitigation, but the risk remains high due to the ease of exploitation and potential impact.

European organizations should immediately inventory their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the magicoders ACF Recent Posts Widget plugin and verify the version in use. Until an official patch is released, administrators should consider disabling or removing the plugin to eliminate exposure. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied data that could be rendered by the widget, using server-side controls and WordPress security best practices. Deploy Content Security Policies (CSP) to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers, mitigating the impact of potential XSS payloads. Regularly monitor web application logs and user reports for signs of suspicious activity or script injections. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting XSS attack patterns to provide an additional layer of defense. Educate content editors and administrators about the risks of injecting untrusted content into widgets and enforce least privilege principles to limit who can modify widget content. Once a patch is available from magicoders or the WordPress plugin repository, apply it promptly and verify the fix through testing. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups to enable rapid recovery if an attack occurs.