CVE-2025-8080 is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Alobaidi Captcha plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 1.0.3. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in the plugin's settings interface. This flaw allows an authenticated attacker with administrator-level permissions or higher to inject arbitrary malicious scripts into the plugin settings. These scripts are then stored persistently and executed whenever any user accesses the affected pages. The vulnerability is particularly relevant in multi-site WordPress installations or in environments where the 'unfiltered_html' capability is disabled, which restricts users from posting unfiltered HTML content. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.4, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N) shows that the attack requires network access, high attack complexity, high privileges, no user interaction, and impacts confidentiality and integrity with a scope change. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which is a common web application security weakness related to Cross-Site Scripting. The root cause is the failure to properly sanitize and escape user-supplied input before rendering it in web pages, enabling script injection that can compromise user sessions, steal sensitive data, or perform unauthorized actions within the context of the affected site.

For European organizations using WordPress with the Alobaidi Captcha plugin in multi-site configurations or with restricted HTML capabilities, this vulnerability poses a risk of persistent XSS attacks. An attacker with administrative access could inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of other users, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed with elevated privileges. Although exploitation requires high privileges, the impact on confidentiality and integrity is significant due to the scope change affecting multiple sites in a multi-site environment. This could lead to data breaches, defacement, or lateral movement within the organization’s web infrastructure. Given the widespread use of WordPress across European businesses, government portals, and educational institutions, the vulnerability could be leveraged to target sensitive information or disrupt services. However, the medium CVSS score and the requirement for administrator-level access somewhat limit the threat to insider attackers or compromised admin accounts rather than external low-privilege attackers. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future exploitation, especially if patches are delayed.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the Alobaidi Captcha plugin, particularly in multi-site environments or where 'unfiltered_html' is disabled. Until an official patch is released, administrators should restrict plugin access strictly to trusted personnel and monitor administrative activities for suspicious behavior. Implementing Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block typical XSS payloads targeting plugin settings pages can provide temporary protection. Organizations should also enforce strong authentication and role-based access controls to minimize the risk of credential compromise. Regularly reviewing and sanitizing plugin settings and database entries for injected scripts can help mitigate persistent XSS risks. Once available, promptly apply vendor patches or updates addressing this vulnerability. Additionally, consider isolating multi-site installations or limiting the use of plugins with known vulnerabilities in sensitive environments. Security teams should also educate administrators about the risks of stored XSS and encourage safe plugin management practices.