What is the CVSS score of CVE-2025-25169?

CVE-2025-25169 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1 (High). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.1%.

Which versions of Authors Autocomplete Meta Box are affected by CVE-2025-25169?

The Authors Autocomplete Meta Box WordPress plugin (versions ≤1.2) contains a reflected XSS vulnerability that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript within administrator or editor…

How to fix or mitigate CVE-2025-25169?

Within 24 hours: Audit WordPress installations for Authors Autocomplete Meta Box plugin and document all affected instances. Within 7 days: Disable or remove the plugin from all WordPress sites until a patched version is available; if the plugin is essential, restrict administrative access to trusted internal networks only. Within 30 days: Monitor the plugin's official repository and vendor advisories for a security patch; re-enable the plugin only after applying a confirmed vendor-released fix version.

Authors Autocomplete Meta Box CVE-2025-25169

HIGH

Cross-site Scripting (XSS) (CWE-79)

2025-03-03 audit@patchstack.com

XSS

7.1

CVSS 3.1 · NVD

Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY

7.1 HIGH

AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L

Attack Vector

Network

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

None

User Interaction

Required

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

Low

Integrity

Low

Availability

Low

Lifecycle Timeline

Analysis Updated

Apr 25, 2026 - 01:10 vuln.today

v2 (cvss_changed)

Re-analysis Queued

Apr 23, 2026 - 15:42 vuln.today

cvss_changed

Analysis Generated

Mar 28, 2026 - 18:29 vuln.today

CVE Published

Mar 03, 2025 - 14:15 nvd

HIGH 7.1

DescriptionCVE.org

Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in NotFound Authors Autocomplete Meta Box allows Reflected XSS. This issue affects Authors Autocomplete Meta Box: from n/a through 1.2.

AnalysisAI

Reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) in Authors Autocomplete Meta Box WordPress plugin versions up to 1.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in victim browsers. Exploitation requires user interaction - a logged-in administrator or editor must click a malicious link. While CVSS rates this 7.1 (High) due to changed scope, the EPSS score of 0.09% (26th percentile) indicates low probability of mass exploitation. No active exploitation confirmed; no CISA KEV listing.

Technical ContextAI

This is a WordPress plugin vulnerability affecting Authors Autocomplete Meta Box through version 1.2. The plugin provides autocomplete functionality for selecting post authors in the WordPress admin interface. The vulnerability stems from improper output encoding (CWE-79) when rendering user-controlled input in dynamically generated web pages. Input provided via URL parameters or form fields is reflected back into the HTML response without adequate sanitization, allowing injection of malicious JavaScript. The CVSS vector indicates network-based attack delivery (AV:N), low complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but mandatory user interaction (UI:R), with changed scope (S:C) meaning the vulnerable component and impacted component are different - typical for XSS where the plugin code is vulnerable but the victim's browser session is compromised.

Affected ProductsAI

WordPress Authors Autocomplete Meta Box plugin versions 1.2 and earlier are confirmed vulnerable per Patchstack advisory. The vulnerability affects all installations of these versions regardless of WordPress core version. Specific CPE data not provided in available intelligence. Vendor advisory and technical details available at Patchstack database reference https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/authors-autocomplete-meta-box/vulnerability/wordpress-authors-autocomplete-meta-box-plugin-1-2-reflected-cross-site-scripting-xss-vulnerability.

RemediationAI

No vendor-released patch identified at time of analysis. Patchstack advisory does not list a fixed version beyond 1.2. Recommended immediate actions: (1) Check for plugin updates through WordPress admin dashboard and apply if available since initial analysis; (2) If no update exists, disable and remove Authors Autocomplete Meta Box plugin if not business-critical; (3) If plugin must remain active, implement compensating controls: restrict WordPress admin access to trusted IP ranges via firewall rules or .htaccess (trade-off: limits legitimate remote admin access), enforce strong Content Security Policy headers to mitigate XSS execution (trade-off: may break legitimate inline scripts), and educate WordPress administrators not to click untrusted links while authenticated (trade-off: relies on user behavior). Monitor Patchstack advisory at provided reference URL for patch release notifications. Consider alternative author selection plugins with active maintenance and security track records.