CVE-2025-7501 is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Wonder Slider Lite plugin for WordPress, affecting all 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 output escaping of user-supplied data in image titles and descriptions within the plugin's DOM. An authenticated attacker with Contributor-level access or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary malicious scripts into image metadata fields. These scripts are then stored persistently and executed in the context of any user who views the affected page, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or unauthorized actions within the WordPress site. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond visiting the compromised page and does not require higher privileges than Contributor, which is a relatively low-level role that many WordPress sites allow for content contributors. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.4 (medium severity), reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, privileges required, no user interaction, and partial confidentiality and integrity impact with no availability impact. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability affects a widely used WordPress plugin, which is popular for creating image sliders, making it a relevant threat to many websites using this plugin for content presentation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to websites running WordPress with the Wonder Slider Lite plugin installed. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized script execution, which may compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, or facilitate further attacks such as phishing or malware distribution. Given the persistent nature of stored XSS, the impact extends beyond a single user visit and can affect multiple users, including administrators and editors, potentially leading to site defacement or unauthorized content manipulation. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, media, education, and government that rely on WordPress for public-facing websites are particularly at risk. The breach of confidentiality and integrity could also lead to regulatory non-compliance under GDPR if personal data is exposed or manipulated. Moreover, the ease of exploitation by relatively low-privileged users increases the threat surface, especially in environments with multiple contributors or less stringent access controls.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the Wonder Slider Lite plugin and verify its version. Until an official patch is released, administrators should consider disabling or uninstalling the plugin to eliminate the attack vector. If disabling is not feasible, strict role-based access control should be enforced to limit Contributor-level permissions, and content input fields should be monitored for suspicious scripts. Implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block typical XSS payloads targeting image metadata fields can provide interim protection. Additionally, organizations should ensure that their WordPress core, themes, and other plugins are up to date to minimize overall risk. Regular security audits and user activity monitoring can help detect exploitation attempts early. Once a patch is available, prompt application is critical. Educating content contributors about safe input practices and the risks of injecting scripts can also reduce accidental exploitation.