CVE-2025-8388 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the PowerPack Elementor Addons (Free Widgets, Extensions and Templates) WordPress plugin developed by ideaboxcreations. The vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 2.9.4. It arises due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically insufficient sanitization and output escaping of the 'cursor_url' parameter. Authenticated attackers with Contributor-level privileges or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary malicious scripts into pages. These scripts are then stored and executed in the context of any user who visits the compromised page, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.4, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based with low attack complexity, requiring privileges equivalent to a Contributor role but no user interaction is needed for exploitation. The scope is changed, meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the attacker’s privileges. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which covers improper neutralization of input leading to XSS attacks, a common and impactful web security issue.

For European organizations using WordPress websites with the PowerPack Elementor Addons plugin, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Stored XSS can lead to unauthorized script execution in the browsers of site visitors or administrators, potentially compromising user credentials, session tokens, or enabling further attacks such as phishing or malware distribution. Since Contributor-level access is sufficient to exploit this vulnerability, insider threats or compromised lower-privilege accounts can be leveraged to inject malicious code. This can undermine the integrity and confidentiality of web applications, damage organizational reputation, and lead to regulatory compliance issues under GDPR if personal data is exposed or manipulated. The medium severity score reflects the moderate but tangible risk, especially for organizations with high web traffic or sensitive user data. The lack of user interaction required increases the risk of automated exploitation once an attacker gains the necessary privileges. The vulnerability’s impact on availability is minimal, but the confidentiality and integrity impacts are notable. European organizations relying on this plugin for website functionality should prioritize mitigation to prevent exploitation.

1. Immediate mitigation involves restricting Contributor-level access and auditing existing user roles to ensure only trusted users have such privileges. 2. Monitor and review content submitted via the 'cursor_url' parameter or related input fields for suspicious scripts or anomalies. 3. Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block common XSS payloads targeting this plugin. 4. Apply strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts on affected web pages. 5. Regularly update the PowerPack Elementor Addons plugin once the vendor releases a patch addressing this vulnerability. 6. Conduct security awareness training for content contributors to reduce the risk of accidental injection. 7. Use security plugins that sanitize and validate inputs at the application level as an additional layer of defense. 8. Perform periodic vulnerability scans and penetration tests focused on XSS vulnerabilities in WordPress environments. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control, monitoring, layered defenses, and proactive scanning tailored to this specific vulnerability and plugin context.