CVE-2025-62897 is a vulnerability classified as improper neutralization of script-related HTML tags, commonly known as a basic Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) flaw, found in the WP Recipe Maker plugin developed by Brecht. This plugin is widely used to add recipe content to WordPress websites. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 10.1.1. The root cause is insufficient sanitization or escaping of user-supplied input that is then rendered on web pages, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. When a victim user interacts with the maliciously crafted content, the injected script executes in their browser context. The CVSS v3.1 score is 4.7 (medium), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based (remote), requires no privileges, but does require user interaction (e.g., clicking a link or visiting a page). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component, but the impact is limited to confidentiality loss (C:L), with no integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N) impact. No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet. This vulnerability could be leveraged for session hijacking, stealing cookies, or conducting phishing attacks by impersonating legitimate site content. Since WP Recipe Maker is a popular plugin in the WordPress ecosystem, many websites, including those operated by European organizations, could be exposed if they have not updated or applied mitigations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, especially plugins that accept user-generated content.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-62897 is the potential compromise of user confidentiality through theft of session cookies or sensitive information accessible via injected scripts. This could lead to account hijacking or unauthorized access to user data on affected websites. Although the vulnerability does not directly affect data integrity or availability, the reputational damage from successful attacks, especially on customer-facing sites, could be significant. Organizations in sectors with high public engagement, such as food bloggers, recipe websites, and lifestyle content providers, are at greater risk. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to conduct targeted phishing campaigns or spread malware by injecting malicious scripts. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk, but the widespread use of the plugin means that once exploits emerge, rapid exploitation could occur. Additionally, compromised sites could be used as platforms for further attacks against European users or organizations, amplifying the threat.

To mitigate CVE-2025-62897, organizations should first verify if they use the WP Recipe Maker plugin and identify the version in use. Since no patch links are currently provided, monitoring the vendor's official channels for updates or patches is critical. In the interim, administrators should implement strict input validation and sanitization on any user-generated content fields related to the plugin. Employing a robust Content Security Policy (CSP) can help restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers, reducing the impact of potential XSS payloads. Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) configured to detect and block common XSS attack patterns can provide additional protection. Regular security audits and scanning for XSS vulnerabilities on affected sites are recommended. Educating site administrators and users about the risks of clicking suspicious links or interacting with untrusted content can reduce successful exploitation. Finally, once a patch is released, applying it promptly is essential to fully remediate the vulnerability.