CVE-2025-8618 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the WPC Smart Quick View for WooCommerce WordPress plugin, developed by wpclever. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 4.2.1. The root cause is insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes within the plugin's woosq_btn shortcode. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary malicious scripts into pages generated 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 is classified under CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation), indicating a failure to properly sanitize inputs before rendering them in web pages. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting a medium severity level, with an attack vector of network, low attack complexity, requiring privileges (PR:L), no user interaction, and a scope change. The impact includes limited confidentiality and integrity loss but no availability impact. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability affects a widely used e-commerce plugin integrated into WordPress sites, which are common targets for attackers due to their popularity and potential access to sensitive customer data and business operations.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk especially for e-commerce businesses relying on WooCommerce and the WPC Smart Quick View plugin. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized script execution, enabling attackers to steal user credentials, manipulate session tokens, or perform actions on behalf of legitimate users. This can result in data breaches involving personal data protected under GDPR, leading to regulatory penalties and reputational damage. The stored nature of the XSS means that any visitor to the infected page can be compromised, amplifying the risk. Additionally, attackers could leverage this vulnerability to pivot to other parts of the network or inject further malware. Given the widespread use of WordPress and WooCommerce in Europe, particularly among small and medium enterprises, the threat surface is considerable. The medium CVSS score reflects the need for timely remediation to prevent escalation or broader compromise.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations for the presence of the WPC Smart Quick View for WooCommerce plugin and verify the version in use. Until an official patch is released, mitigation can include: 1) Restricting contributor-level and higher access to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of malicious shortcode attribute injection. 2) Employing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious shortcode payloads or script tags in user inputs. 3) Implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts on affected pages. 4) Regularly monitoring logs and user-generated content for signs of injected scripts or anomalous behavior. 5) Considering temporary deactivation or removal of the plugin if it is not critical to business operations. 6) Preparing to apply patches promptly once available and testing updates in staging environments before production deployment. 7) Educating content contributors about secure input practices and the risks of injecting untrusted content.