CVE-2025-7501 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the Wonder Slider Lite plugin for WordPress, versions up to and including 14.4. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), specifically due to insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-supplied data in image titles and descriptions within the plugin's DOM. Authenticated attackers with Contributor-level access or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary JavaScript code into image metadata fields. This malicious script is then stored persistently and executed in the browsers of any users who visit the affected pages, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.4 (medium severity), reflecting network exploitability with low attack complexity, requiring privileges but no user interaction, and impacting confidentiality and integrity with a scope change. No known public exploits have been reported yet. The vulnerability is significant because WordPress is widely used for website content management, and plugins like Wonder Slider are popular for creating image sliders. The stored XSS vector is particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users and persist over time. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure increases the risk for affected sites until updates or mitigations are applied.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk, especially for those relying on WordPress sites with the Wonder Slider plugin installed. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized script execution in users' browsers, resulting in theft of session cookies, defacement, redirection to malicious sites, or unauthorized actions performed with the victim's privileges. This can compromise user data confidentiality and integrity, damage organizational reputation, and potentially lead to regulatory non-compliance under GDPR if personal data is exposed or manipulated. The requirement for Contributor-level access limits the attack surface to insiders or compromised accounts, but given the prevalence of WordPress in European businesses, media, and government websites, the impact can be significant. Additionally, the scope change in the CVSS vector indicates that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially compromised component, increasing potential damage. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate it, as attackers may develop exploits rapidly after disclosure.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the Wonder Slider Lite plugin, particularly versions up to 14.4. Until an official patch is released, administrators should consider the following mitigations: 1) Restrict Contributor-level access strictly to trusted users and review existing user privileges to minimize potential attackers. 2) Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious script injection patterns in image titles and descriptions. 3) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts on affected pages. 4) Sanitize and validate all user inputs related to image metadata at the application level if possible. 5) Monitor logs and user activity for unusual behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 6) Plan for prompt patching once updates are available from the vendor. 7) Educate content contributors about safe input practices and the risks of injecting scripts. These targeted steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control, input validation, and layered defenses specific to this plugin's vulnerability.