CVE-2025-8603 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the Unlimited Elements For Elementor plugin for WordPress, versions up to and including 1.5.148. This vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), specifically due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in several widgets provided by the plugin. An authenticated attacker with Contributor-level access or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary malicious scripts into pages managed by the plugin. These scripts are stored persistently and executed whenever any user accesses 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 (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. Currently, there are no known exploits in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability was published on August 28, 2025, and assigned by Wordfence. This issue is critical for websites using the Unlimited Elements For Elementor plugin, especially those allowing Contributor-level users to add or edit content, as it enables persistent script injection that can compromise site visitors and administrators alike.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to websites built on WordPress using the Unlimited Elements For Elementor plugin. Since WordPress is widely used across Europe for corporate, governmental, and commercial websites, exploitation could lead to unauthorized script execution, resulting in data theft, session hijacking, defacement, or distribution of malware to site visitors. The requirement for Contributor-level access means that attackers need some level of authenticated access, which could be obtained via compromised credentials or social engineering. The impact on confidentiality and integrity is moderate, as attackers can steal sensitive information or manipulate content, but availability is not directly affected. Organizations handling personal data under GDPR could face regulatory consequences if user data is compromised. Additionally, the scope change indicates that the vulnerability can affect components beyond the plugin itself, potentially impacting other parts of the website or connected systems. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk, but the medium CVSS score and ease of exploitation warrant prompt attention.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation steps: 1) Immediately audit WordPress installations to identify the presence and version of the Unlimited Elements For Elementor plugin. 2) Restrict Contributor-level access strictly to trusted users and review user roles to minimize the number of users with content editing privileges. 3) Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious script injections targeting the plugin’s widgets. 4) Monitor website content for unexpected script tags or anomalies indicative of stored XSS attacks. 5) Until an official patch is released, consider disabling or removing the plugin if feasible, or replacing it with alternative, secure plugins offering similar functionality. 6) Educate content contributors about phishing and credential security to prevent unauthorized access. 7) Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts on affected sites. 8) Regularly back up website data to enable quick restoration in case of compromise. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control, monitoring, and proactive content security tailored to the nature of this vulnerability.