CVE-2025-8280 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Contact Form 7 reCAPTCHA WordPress plugin, specifically in versions up to 1.2.0. The vulnerability arises because the plugin fails to properly escape the $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'] parameter before embedding it into an HTML attribute. This improper sanitization allows an attacker to craft a malicious URL that, when visited by a user on an older web browser, can execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of the vulnerable website. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which pertains to improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.8, reflecting a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R). The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is low (C:L, I:L, A:L). No known exploits are currently observed in the wild, and no patches have been published yet. The vulnerability primarily affects websites using the Contact Form 7 reCAPTCHA plugin, a popular WordPress plugin used to integrate Google reCAPTCHA into contact forms to prevent spam. The issue is more pronounced in older browsers that do not have modern XSS protections, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, or redirect users to malicious sites.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to websites running WordPress with the Contact Form 7 reCAPTCHA plugin installed. Given the widespread use of WordPress in Europe, including by small and medium enterprises, NGOs, and public sector entities, the vulnerability could be exploited to conduct targeted phishing attacks, session hijacking, or defacement. The reflected XSS could be used as an initial vector for more complex attacks, such as delivering malware or stealing sensitive user data. Although the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is rated low individually, the combined effect could damage organizational reputation, lead to data breaches, or cause compliance issues with GDPR if personal data is exposed. The requirement for user interaction and the higher attack complexity somewhat limit the exploitability, but social engineering could increase the risk. Older browsers still in use in some organizations or among their user base increase the attack surface. Public-facing websites, especially those handling user inquiries or customer data, are the most vulnerable targets. The lack of a patch means organizations must rely on mitigation strategies until an official fix is released.

European organizations should implement several practical measures to mitigate this vulnerability: 1) Immediately review and monitor all WordPress sites using the Contact Form 7 reCAPTCHA plugin for suspicious URL parameters and unusual activity. 2) Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious request patterns that include malicious payloads in the REQUEST_URI parameter. 3) Encourage or enforce the use of modern browsers among users and staff, as newer browsers have improved XSS protections that can reduce exploitability. 4) Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of inline scripts and reduce the impact of XSS attacks. 5) Educate users and administrators about the risks of clicking on untrusted links and the importance of verifying URLs before interaction. 6) Temporarily disable or replace the vulnerable plugin with alternative spam protection solutions until a patch is available. 7) Regularly update all WordPress plugins and core installations to ensure timely application of security fixes. 8) Conduct penetration testing and vulnerability scanning focused on XSS to identify and remediate similar issues proactively.