CVE-2026-28132 identifies a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the villatheme WooCommerce Photo Reviews plugin, specifically versions up to 1.4.4. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of script-related HTML tags within user-supplied input that is rendered on web pages without adequate sanitization or encoding. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the browsers of users visiting affected pages. The injected scripts can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to phishing sites, or manipulating page content. The vulnerability is categorized as a basic XSS, indicating that it does not require complex conditions or advanced techniques to exploit. While no exploits have been reported in the wild yet, the widespread use of WooCommerce and its plugins makes this a significant risk. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of user data and can undermine user trust in affected e-commerce platforms. The lack of a CVSS score suggests this is a newly discovered issue, with a patch not yet publicly available. The vulnerability was published on February 26, 2026, and assigned by Patchstack. The absence of known exploits provides a window for organizations to implement mitigations before active exploitation occurs.

The primary impact of this vulnerability is the potential compromise of user data confidentiality and integrity on e-commerce websites using the affected WooCommerce Photo Reviews plugin. Attackers exploiting this XSS flaw can execute arbitrary scripts in the context of users' browsers, enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions on behalf of users. This can lead to financial fraud, loss of customer trust, and reputational damage for organizations. Additionally, attackers might use the vulnerability to deliver malware or conduct phishing attacks by redirecting users to malicious sites. The availability impact is generally low for XSS vulnerabilities, but indirect effects such as site defacement or user lockout could occur. Organizations worldwide that rely on WooCommerce and this plugin for customer reviews and engagement are at risk, especially those with high traffic volumes and sensitive customer data. The absence of known exploits currently limits immediate widespread damage, but the vulnerability's presence in a popular e-commerce plugin makes it a critical concern for web security.

Organizations should prioritize updating the WooCommerce Photo Reviews plugin to a patched version once it becomes available from the vendor. Until an official patch is released, implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data rendered on web pages to prevent script injection. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the impact of potential XSS attacks. Regularly audit and sanitize all inputs, especially those related to user reviews and comments. Monitor web application logs for suspicious activity indicative of attempted XSS exploitation. Educate developers and administrators on secure coding practices to avoid similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules tailored to detect and block XSS payloads targeting this plugin. Conduct penetration testing focused on XSS vectors to verify the effectiveness of mitigations. Maintain up-to-date backups to enable quick recovery in case of compromise.