CVE-2025-26537: GDPR Tools WordPress Plugin XSS Vulnerability

CVE-2025-26537 Overview

CVE-2025-26537 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the rolomak GDPR Tools plugin for WordPress. The flaw affects all versions of gdpr-tools up to and including 1.0.2. Authenticated attackers with low-level privileges can inject malicious script payloads that persist in the plugin's output. When another user, including administrators, loads an affected page, the browser executes the payload in their session context. The issue is categorized under CWE-79 for improper neutralization of input during web page generation.

Critical Impact
Attackers with contributor-level or higher access can execute arbitrary JavaScript in administrator browsers, enabling session theft, account takeover, and unauthorized WordPress configuration changes.

Affected Products

rolomak GDPR Tools WordPress plugin, all versions through 1.0.2
WordPress sites with the gdpr-tools plugin active
Any authenticated user role permitted to submit input processed by the plugin

Discovery Timeline

2025-03-26 - CVE-2025-26537 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-26537

Vulnerability Analysis

The GDPR Tools plugin fails to properly sanitize and encode user-supplied input before rendering it in generated web pages. An authenticated attacker submits crafted input containing HTML or JavaScript. The plugin stores the payload and later includes it in server responses without adequate output encoding.

Because the payload is stored server-side, it executes for every visitor who loads the affected page. The scope change indicated in the CVSS vector reflects that script execution crosses trust boundaries, affecting users beyond the original attacker. User interaction is required, meaning a victim must load the affected page for exploitation to succeed.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient input neutralization in the plugin's request handlers and template rendering paths. Fields intended to accept plain text are echoed into HTML contexts without escaping functions such as esc_html(), esc_attr(), or wp_kses(). This is a classic CWE-79 pattern in WordPress plugins that bypass the core sanitization APIs.

Attack Vector

Exploitation proceeds over the network against the WordPress administration interface. An authenticated attacker with low privileges submits a payload containing <script> tags or event-handler attributes through a plugin form. The payload persists in the WordPress database. When a privileged user views the affected admin page or public output, the script executes in their browser. Consult the Patchstack GDPR Tools Plugin XSS Vulnerability advisory for technical specifics on the affected input fields.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-26537

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected <script> tags, onerror, onload, or javascript: URIs stored in WordPress database tables associated with the gdpr-tools plugin
Administrator sessions initiating outbound HTTP requests to unfamiliar domains shortly after loading plugin pages
Creation of new WordPress administrator accounts or modification of user roles without a corresponding audit trail
Unexplained changes to plugin settings, cookies, or DOM elements on pages rendered by GDPR Tools

Detection Strategies

Audit database tables for the gdpr-tools plugin and search for HTML control characters, <script, and event-handler substrings in stored fields
Review WordPress access logs for POST requests to plugin endpoints that include URL-encoded script payloads
Enable and monitor Content Security Policy (CSP) violation reports to identify inline script execution attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

Alert on new administrator account creation, role changes, and plugin configuration modifications
Monitor administrator browser sessions for anomalous outbound requests originating from WordPress admin pages
Track plugin version inventory across WordPress deployments to identify hosts still running gdpr-tools1.0.2 or earlier

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-26537

Immediate Actions Required

Deactivate and remove the GDPR Tools plugin on any site running version 1.0.2 or earlier until a patched release is verified
Rotate WordPress administrator passwords and invalidate active sessions to contain potential session hijacking
Review recent administrator activity and audit logs for unauthorized account creation or configuration changes
Inspect database contents populated by the plugin and remove any stored script payloads

Patch Information

No fixed version is identified in the available advisory data. Monitor the Patchstack GDPR Tools Plugin XSS Vulnerability advisory and the plugin's WordPress.org page for a release addressing CVE-2025-26537.

Workarounds

Restrict access to the WordPress admin interface using IP allow-listing or a web application firewall
Deploy a WAF rule that blocks requests containing <script, javascript:, and common XSS event handlers targeted at plugin endpoints
Limit user roles that can interact with GDPR Tools input fields to trusted administrators only
Enforce a strict Content Security Policy that disallows inline scripts on WordPress admin pages

bash

# Configuration example: deactivate the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate gdpr-tools
wp plugin delete gdpr-tools