CVE-2025-11770
📋 TL;DR
The BrightTALK WordPress Shortcode plugin has a stored XSS vulnerability that allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts into WordPress pages. These scripts execute whenever users view the compromised pages, potentially stealing session cookies or performing unauthorized actions. All WordPress sites using this plugin up to version 2.4.0 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- BrightTALK WordPress Shortcode plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could steal administrator credentials, deface websites, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, potentially leading to complete site compromise.
Likely Case
Attackers with contributor access inject malicious scripts that steal user session cookies or perform limited unauthorized actions when users visit compromised pages.
If Mitigated
With proper user access controls and content security policies, impact is limited to defacement or minor data leakage from users viewing compromised pages.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access at contributor level or higher. The vulnerability is in the 'format' attribute of the brighttalk-time shortcode.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.4.1 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/brighttalk-wp-shortcode/tags/2.4.1
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'BrightTALK WordPress Shortcode' and click 'Update Now'. 4. Alternatively, download version 2.4.1+ from WordPress plugin repository and replace the plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Remove Contributor Access
allTemporarily remove contributor-level access from untrusted users until patching is complete.
Disable Plugin
allDeactivate the BrightTALK WordPress Shortcode plugin if not essential for site functionality.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution
- Apply WordPress security plugins with XSS protection features
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins for BrightTALK WordPress Shortcode version. If version is 2.4.0 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name=brighttalk-wp-shortcode --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify the plugin version shows 2.4.1 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to WordPress admin-ajax.php or admin-post.php containing brighttalk-time shortcode with script tags
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful contributor-level login
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections to suspicious domains from WordPress server after page views
- Unexpected JavaScript execution in page responses
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("brighttalk-time" OR "format=" AND "<script")