CVE-2025-8290 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the List Subpages plugin for WordPress, developed by weblineindia. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 1.0.6. The root cause is improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically insufficient sanitization and escaping of the 'title' parameter. Authenticated attackers with at least Contributor-level privileges can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary JavaScript code into the 'title' field of subpages. Because the payload is stored, the malicious script executes whenever any user accesses the compromised page, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.4 (medium severity), with an attack vector of network (remote), low attack complexity, requiring privileges (Contributor or higher), no user interaction, and a scope change (affecting other components beyond the vulnerable plugin). The impact affects confidentiality and integrity but not availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches have been published yet. The vulnerability was reserved on 2025-07-28 and published on 2025-08-29. Given the widespread use of WordPress and the popularity of plugins like List Subpages for content organization, this vulnerability represents a significant risk for websites that allow contributors to create or edit subpages, especially in environments where multiple users have editing privileges.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to websites and intranet portals built on WordPress using the List Subpages plugin. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized script execution, enabling attackers to steal session cookies, impersonate users, or manipulate content integrity. This could result in data breaches, defacement, or unauthorized access to sensitive internal resources. Organizations in sectors such as government, education, healthcare, and media—where WordPress is commonly used for public-facing and internal content management—may face reputational damage, regulatory scrutiny under GDPR for data confidentiality breaches, and operational disruptions. Since the exploit requires authenticated access at Contributor level or higher, insider threats or compromised user accounts increase the risk. The stored nature of the XSS means that any user visiting the infected page could be affected, amplifying the impact. Although availability is not directly impacted, the indirect effects of trust erosion and potential follow-on attacks could be significant.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Immediately audit WordPress installations to identify use of the List Subpages plugin and verify versions. 2) Restrict Contributor-level access strictly to trusted users and review user roles to minimize unnecessary privileges. 3) Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting the 'title' parameter. 4) Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts on affected pages. 5) Regularly monitor logs for unusual activity related to subpage creation or modification. 6) Until an official patch is released, consider disabling or removing the List Subpages plugin if feasible. 7) Educate content contributors about safe input practices and the risks of injecting scripts. 8) Plan for rapid deployment of patches once available and test updates in staging environments before production rollout. 9) Use security plugins that provide XSS protection and input sanitization enhancements. These targeted steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control, detection, and containment specific to this vulnerability's characteristics.