CVE-2025-8902 is a medium-severity Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the Widget Options - Extended plugin for WordPress, developed by Marketing Fire, LLC. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 5.2.1 of the plugin. The root cause is improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-supplied attributes in the 'do_sidebar' shortcode. An authenticated attacker with contributor-level access or higher can exploit this flaw by injecting arbitrary JavaScript code into pages via the shortcode parameters. When other users visit the compromised pages, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or unauthorized actions within the affected WordPress site. The vulnerability requires no user interaction beyond visiting the injected page and does not require administrator privileges, but does require contributor-level authentication. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, privileges required, no user interaction, and a scope change. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, indicating improper input neutralization during web page generation, a common vector for XSS attacks in web applications.

For European organizations using WordPress sites with the Widget Options - Extended plugin, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to website integrity and user trust. Exploitation could allow attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of the affected website, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting users to phishing sites, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users. This can lead to data breaches, defacement, or reputational damage. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, media, and public services that rely on WordPress for content management are particularly vulnerable. The requirement for contributor-level access limits exploitation to insiders or attackers who have compromised lower-tier accounts, but such access is often easier to obtain than administrator privileges. The scope change in the CVSS vector indicates that the vulnerability can affect components beyond the initially compromised area, potentially impacting multiple users and site functionalities. Given the widespread use of WordPress across Europe, the vulnerability could have broad implications if not addressed promptly.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the Widget Options - Extended plugin and verify the version in use. Until an official patch is released, administrators should consider disabling the 'do_sidebar' shortcode functionality or the entire plugin if feasible to prevent exploitation. Implementing strict role-based access controls to limit contributor-level permissions can reduce the risk of insider threats. Additionally, employing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious shortcode attribute inputs can provide a temporary protective layer. Regularly monitoring website logs for unusual shortcode usage or script injections is advised. Organizations should also educate content contributors about the risks of injecting untrusted content and enforce content validation policies. Once a patch is available, prompt application is critical. Finally, adopting Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can help mitigate the impact of XSS by restricting the execution of unauthorized scripts.