CVE-2025-8776 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the Epic Bootstrap Buttons plugin for WordPress, developed by mikemayhem3030. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 1.0 of the plugin. The root cause is insufficient input sanitization and output escaping of the 'icol' parameter, which is used during web page generation. Authenticated attackers with Contributor-level access or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary malicious scripts into pages. These scripts execute whenever any user accesses the compromised page, potentially leading to session hijacking, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.4, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based, requires low attack complexity, and privileges at the Contributor level, but no user interaction is needed. The scope is changed, meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. There are no known exploits in the wild as of the published date, and no patches have been linked yet. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which covers improper neutralization of input during web page generation, a common cause of XSS issues.

For European organizations using WordPress sites with the Epic Bootstrap Buttons plugin, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to website integrity and user trust. Attackers with Contributor-level access—often achievable through compromised accounts or insider threats—can inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of site visitors, including administrators and customers. This can lead to theft of authentication cookies, enabling session hijacking, unauthorized actions, or data exfiltration. The vulnerability could also facilitate phishing attacks by injecting deceptive content or redirecting users to malicious domains. For organizations handling sensitive personal data under GDPR, such breaches could result in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Additionally, the scope change in the CVSS vector suggests that the impact may extend beyond the plugin itself, potentially affecting other site components or user data. Given WordPress's widespread use across European businesses, media, and government websites, the threat is non-trivial, especially for sites that allow multiple contributors or editors. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity score and ease of exploitation warrant prompt attention.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations for the presence of the Epic Bootstrap Buttons plugin and verify the version in use. Until an official patch is released, administrators should consider disabling or removing the plugin to eliminate the attack surface. Restrict Contributor-level access strictly to trusted users and review user roles and permissions to minimize the number of accounts capable of exploiting this vulnerability. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting the 'icol' parameter. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to mitigate the impact of injected scripts by restricting script execution sources. Regularly monitor website logs for unusual activity or unexpected content changes. Once a patch becomes available, prioritize its deployment and verify that input sanitization and output escaping are properly enforced. Additionally, educate content contributors about the risks of injecting untrusted content and enforce secure coding practices for any custom plugins or themes.