CVE-2025-7059 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Simple Featured Image WordPress plugin developed by jdegayojr. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.3.1. The root cause is improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically insufficient sanitization and escaping of the 'slideshow' parameter. An authenticated attacker with Contributor-level privileges or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary malicious scripts into pages managed by the plugin. These scripts are then stored persistently and executed in the context of any user who views the compromised page, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.4, categorized as medium severity, reflecting its network attack vector, low attack complexity, and requirement for privileges but no user interaction. The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79, highlighting the classic XSS issue of improper input validation and output encoding in web applications.

For European organizations using WordPress websites with the Simple Featured Image plugin, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of their web environments. Attackers with Contributor-level access—which is a relatively low privilege level in WordPress—can inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of site visitors and administrators. This can lead to theft of authentication cookies, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users, defacement, or distribution of malware. Given the widespread use of WordPress across Europe for corporate, governmental, and e-commerce websites, exploitation could result in reputational damage, data breaches, and compliance violations under GDPR due to unauthorized data exposure. The vulnerability does not affect availability directly but can indirectly cause service disruptions if exploited for further attacks. The requirement for authenticated access limits the attack surface somewhat but does not eliminate risk, especially on sites allowing user registrations or multiple contributors. The changed scope means that the impact can extend beyond the plugin itself, potentially affecting other parts of the website or connected systems.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the Simple Featured Image plugin, particularly versions up to 1.3.1. Until an official patch is released, administrators should consider disabling or removing the plugin to eliminate the attack vector. Restrict Contributor-level access strictly to trusted users and review user roles and permissions to minimize the number of accounts with such privileges. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules that detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting the 'slideshow' parameter. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to reduce the impact of potential XSS payloads by restricting script execution sources. Regularly monitor logs for unusual activity related to plugin usage or user input. Once a patch becomes available, prioritize prompt application of updates. Additionally, educate content contributors about the risks of injecting untrusted content and enforce input validation best practices at the application level. Consider deploying security plugins that provide enhanced input sanitization and output escaping for WordPress environments.