CVE-2026-25362 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in FooPlugins FooGallery, a popular WordPress gallery plugin, affecting all versions up to and including 3.1.11. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during the generation of web pages, allowing malicious scripts to be permanently stored within the application’s data. When other users or administrators view the affected pages, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or distribution of malware. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because the malicious payload persists on the server and can affect multiple users without requiring repeated exploitation. No authentication or special user interaction is required beyond visiting a compromised page, increasing the attack surface. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability’s nature and the widespread use of FooGallery in WordPress sites make it a significant risk. The lack of a CVSS score indicates that the vulnerability is newly disclosed and not yet fully assessed, but the technical characteristics suggest a high severity. The vulnerability was published on February 19, 2026, with no patches currently linked, emphasizing the need for vigilance and proactive mitigation. The vulnerability’s impact is primarily on confidentiality and integrity, as attackers can steal sensitive data or manipulate site content. Availability impact is limited but could occur if attackers use XSS to inject disruptive scripts. The vulnerability affects web servers hosting FooGallery, which are common in European organizations relying on WordPress for content management and digital presence.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2026-25362 can be significant, especially for those using FooGallery on public-facing WordPress sites. Successful exploitation can lead to theft of user credentials, session tokens, or other sensitive information, undermining user trust and potentially leading to unauthorized access. Attackers could also perform actions on behalf of legitimate users, including administrators, leading to data manipulation or site defacement. This can damage organizational reputation and result in compliance violations under regulations like GDPR if personal data is compromised. Additionally, attackers might use the vulnerability to distribute malware or redirect users to malicious sites, increasing the risk of broader compromise. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that the attack can affect multiple users over time, amplifying its impact. Organizations in sectors with high online engagement, such as e-commerce, media, and public services, are particularly vulnerable. The lack of authentication requirement lowers the barrier for attackers, making automated exploitation feasible. Overall, the vulnerability poses a high risk to confidentiality and integrity, with moderate risk to availability.

To mitigate CVE-2026-25362, organizations should first monitor FooPlugins’ official channels for patches and apply updates immediately once available. Until a patch is released, implement a web application firewall (WAF) with rules specifically targeting XSS payloads to block malicious input and output. Conduct thorough input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data, especially in gallery titles, descriptions, and metadata fields. Review and sanitize existing content in FooGallery to remove any potentially injected scripts. Limit user privileges to reduce the risk of malicious content being uploaded by unauthorized users. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. Regularly audit logs and monitor for unusual activity indicative of XSS exploitation attempts. Educate site administrators and users about the risks of XSS and safe content management practices. Finally, consider isolating or sandboxing the affected plugin environment to contain potential damage until a permanent fix is applied.