CVE-2025-6787 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the Smart Docs plugin for WordPress developed by ibachal. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 1.1.0 of the plugin. The root cause is insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes within the 'smartdocs_search' shortcode. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level privileges or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary malicious scripts into pages generated by the plugin. These scripts are then stored persistently and executed in the browsers of any users who visit the compromised pages, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the victim user. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.4, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based with low attack complexity, requiring privileges equivalent to contributor access but no user interaction. The scope is changed, meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially compromised component. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are low, while availability is not affected. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been published at the time of this report.

For European organizations using WordPress sites with the Smart Docs plugin, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to website integrity and user trust. Attackers with contributor-level access—often achievable through compromised accounts or social engineering—can inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of site visitors, including employees, customers, or partners. This can lead to theft of authentication tokens, unauthorized actions performed with victim privileges, or redirection to phishing or malware sites. Given the widespread use of WordPress across Europe for corporate, governmental, and e-commerce websites, exploitation could result in data breaches, reputational damage, and regulatory non-compliance under GDPR if personal data is exposed. The persistent nature of stored XSS increases the risk as the malicious payload remains active until removed. Although the vulnerability requires some level of authentication, many organizations have contributor or similar roles assigned to multiple users, increasing the attack surface. The medium severity score reflects a moderate but tangible threat that should be addressed promptly to prevent exploitation.

European organizations should take immediate steps to mitigate this vulnerability beyond generic patching advice. First, restrict contributor-level access strictly to trusted users and review existing user roles and permissions to minimize unnecessary privileges. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all authenticated users to reduce the risk of account compromise. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious payloads targeting the 'smartdocs_search' shortcode parameters. Conduct thorough code reviews and input validation audits on all user-supplied data in WordPress plugins, especially those handling shortcodes or dynamic content generation. Monitor website content for unauthorized script injections and establish incident response procedures for rapid remediation. Until an official patch is released, consider disabling or removing the Smart Docs plugin if feasible. Additionally, educate content contributors about phishing and social engineering risks to prevent credential theft that could lead to exploitation.