CVE-2025-7498 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Exclusive Addons for Elementor WordPress plugin, specifically affecting the Countdown Widget in all versions up to and including 2.7.9.4. The root cause of this vulnerability is improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), where the plugin fails to adequately sanitize and escape user-supplied input before rendering it on web pages. This flaw allows authenticated attackers with Contributor-level access or higher to inject arbitrary malicious scripts into pages. 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 unauthorized actions on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 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 from victims. The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially compromised component. There are no known exploits in the wild reported yet, and no official patches have been linked at the time of publication. This vulnerability is significant because WordPress is widely used across websites globally, and Elementor is a popular page builder plugin, with Exclusive Addons extending its functionality. The ability for relatively low-privileged users to inject persistent scripts can undermine website integrity and user trust.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a tangible risk to websites leveraging WordPress with the Exclusive Addons for Elementor plugin, especially those that allow multiple contributors or editors to manage content. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized script execution affecting site visitors, including customers and employees, potentially resulting in data theft, session hijacking, or distribution of malware. This can damage brand reputation, lead to regulatory non-compliance under GDPR due to data breaches, and cause operational disruptions. Since the vulnerability requires authenticated access at Contributor level, organizations with less restrictive content management policies are at higher risk. Additionally, the scope change means that the impact could extend beyond the compromised page, possibly affecting other site components or user sessions. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits post-disclosure. European organizations in sectors with high web presence such as e-commerce, media, and public services should be particularly vigilant.

1. Immediate mitigation involves restricting Contributor-level access to trusted users only and reviewing user permissions to minimize the number of users who can add or edit content. 2. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious script injections targeting the Countdown Widget or other plugin components. 3. Monitor website content for unexpected script tags or suspicious payloads, especially in pages using the vulnerable widget. 4. Apply strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts. 5. Regularly update the Exclusive Addons for Elementor plugin once a patch is released by the vendor. 6. Conduct security audits and penetration testing focusing on input validation and output encoding mechanisms in custom and third-party plugins. 7. Educate content contributors about safe content practices and the risks of injecting untrusted code. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control, monitoring, and layered defenses tailored to this vulnerability's characteristics.