Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A WordPress plugin called WP Smart Flexslider (version 2.5 and earlier) has a reflected cross-site scripting flaw. If a logged-in administrator is tricked into clicking a malicious link, attacker-supplied script can run in their browser session and potentially lead to site takeover or data theft.
Executive priority
Moderate-to-high priority for any business running WordPress with this plugin. Patch or remove within the standard high-severity SLA. Low priority for organizations that do not use WordPress or this specific plugin.
Technical view
CVE-2025-49955 is a reflected XSS (CWE-79) in Rajan Vijayan's WP Smart Flexslider plugin through version 2.5. CVSS 3.1 score is 7.1 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L). The scope-changed vector indicates injected script can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component, typically the WordPress admin context, when a user is lured into following a crafted URL.
Likely exposure
Limited to WordPress sites that have the WP Smart Flexslider plugin installed and active. Public-facing WordPress sites with administrators who browse external links while authenticated face the highest practical exposure.
Exploitation context
No active exploitation is cited in the source bundle and the CVE is not listed in CISA KEV. Exploitation requires user interaction (UI:R): the attacker must social-engineer a privileged user into clicking a crafted link. No public exploit or proof-of-concept is referenced in the provided sources.
Researcher notes
Reflected XSS with scope change (S:C) and no privileges required, but UI:R caps mass-exploit feasibility. Affected vendor metadata in the bundle is sparse (defaultStatus unaffected, version "0"); rely on Patchstack's advisory for authoritative version-fix mapping. Confirm whether a patched release exists before recommending a target version.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WordPress sites and identify any using the WP Smart Flexslider plugin.
- Check Patchstack and the vendor for a fixed version above 2.5; apply if available.
- If no fix is available, deactivate and remove the plugin until vendor guidance is published.
- Apply WAF rules that filter reflected XSS patterns against WordPress query parameters.
- Educate administrators to avoid clicking unsolicited links while logged into WordPress.
Validation and detection
- Run a plugin inventory (wp-cli plugin list) across managed WordPress estates to flag wp-smart-flexslider.
- Confirm installed plugin version and compare against the latest vendor release notes.
- Review web server and WAF logs for suspicious query strings targeting plugin endpoints.
- After remediation, re-scan with a vulnerability scanner that ingests Patchstack feeds to confirm closure.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-79: User-session and phishing behavior lookup
Client-side and session-facing weaknesses should be reviewed alongside initial-access and user-execution behaviors. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2025-49955 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.1 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L2.83.7Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.1HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L
Source materials
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.