CVE-2025-64291 is a stored Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Premmerce User Roles plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions up to and including 1.0.13. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during web page generation, which allows malicious scripts to be stored persistently within the application. When other users, particularly administrators or users with elevated privileges, view the affected pages, the malicious scripts execute in their browsers. This can lead to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability requires an attacker to have high privileges (PR:H) and user interaction (UI:R) to exploit, indicating that the attacker must be authenticated and trick a user into triggering the payload. The CVSS v3.1 score of 5.9 (medium severity) reflects the moderate risk posed by this vulnerability, with impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability rated as low but with a scope change (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially compromised component. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the presence of stored XSS in a role management plugin is concerning due to the sensitive nature of user permissions and access control. The plugin is commonly used in WordPress e-commerce sites to manage user roles and capabilities, making it a valuable target for attackers aiming to compromise administrative functions or customer data.

For European organizations, especially those operating e-commerce or content management systems based on WordPress with the Premmerce User Roles plugin, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized script execution leading to session hijacking, data theft, or manipulation of user roles. The stored XSS can facilitate lateral movement within the application, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or disrupt service availability. Confidentiality of sensitive user data and integrity of role assignments may be compromised, impacting compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations. The requirement for high privileges to exploit somewhat limits the attack surface but also means that insider threats or compromised accounts pose a significant risk. Availability impacts, while limited, could include denial of service through malicious script execution. The vulnerability's medium severity suggests that while immediate widespread damage is unlikely, targeted attacks against high-value assets could have serious consequences.

Organizations should monitor for updates from Premmerce and apply patches promptly once released. Until patches are available, restrict administrative and high-privilege user access to trusted personnel only and enforce strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA). Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to reduce the impact of XSS attacks by restricting script execution sources. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with XSS detection and blocking capabilities to provide an additional layer of defense. Conduct regular security audits and code reviews of customizations involving user input handling. Educate users with high privileges about phishing and social engineering risks to reduce the likelihood of triggering malicious payloads. Additionally, sanitize and validate all user inputs rigorously and consider disabling or limiting plugin functionality if feasible until a fix is applied.