CVE-2025-7496 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the WPC Smart Compare for WooCommerce plugin for WordPress, developed by wpclever. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 6.4.7. The root cause is improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically insufficient input sanitization and output escaping of DOM elements. Authenticated attackers with Contributor-level access or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary malicious scripts into pages managed by the plugin. These scripts are then stored and executed whenever any user accesses the compromised page, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or redirection to malicious sites. 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 a Contributor role, but no user interaction is needed for exploitation. The scope is changed, meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially compromised component. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which covers improper neutralization of input leading to XSS attacks.

For European organizations using WordPress with the WPC Smart Compare for WooCommerce plugin, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of user data. Attackers with contributor-level access could inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users, potentially stealing authentication cookies, defacing websites, or conducting phishing attacks. This could lead to reputational damage, loss of customer trust, and regulatory consequences under GDPR if personal data is compromised. The vulnerability does not directly impact availability but can indirectly cause service disruptions if exploited for further attacks. Since WooCommerce is widely used by e-commerce businesses across Europe, especially small and medium enterprises, the risk is amplified in sectors relying heavily on online sales platforms. The requirement for authenticated access limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, as contributor roles are common in collaborative content management environments.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the WPC Smart Compare for WooCommerce plugin and verify its version. Until an official patch is released, organizations should consider the following mitigations: 1) Restrict Contributor-level access strictly to trusted users and review user roles and permissions to minimize unnecessary privileges. 2) Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts targeting the plugin's endpoints. 3) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. 4) Monitor logs for unusual activity indicative of attempted exploitation. 5) Educate administrators and content contributors about the risks of injecting untrusted content. 6) Regularly update the plugin as soon as a security patch is available from the vendor. 7) Consider disabling or replacing the plugin temporarily if the risk is deemed unacceptable and no patch is forthcoming.