CVE-2025-11803
📋 TL;DR
The WPSite Shortcode WordPress plugin has a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts into website pages. These scripts execute whenever users view the compromised pages, potentially stealing credentials or performing unauthorized actions. All WordPress sites using this plugin up to version 1.2 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WPSite Shortcode WordPress 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, take over the WordPress site, deface pages, redirect users to malicious sites, or install backdoors for persistent access.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript to steal user session cookies, redirect users to phishing pages, or display unwanted advertisements.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output escaping, the vulnerability would be prevented, and only properly formatted content would be displayed.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but is technically simple once access is obtained. The vulnerability is in publicly available code.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check WordPress plugin repository for version >1.2
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/wpsite-shortcode/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'WPSite Shortcode' and check for updates. 4. If update available, click 'Update Now'. 5. If no update available, deactivate and remove the plugin.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable shortcodes
allRemove or disable the wpsite_y and wpsite_postauthor shortcodes from theme files and posts
Edit WordPress theme files to remove [wpsite_y] and [wpsite_postauthor] shortcodes
Restrict user roles
allLimit contributor-level access to trusted users only
Use WordPress role management plugins to restrict contributor access
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Deactivate and remove the WPSite Shortcode plugin immediately
- Implement web application firewall rules to block XSS payloads in shortcode attributes
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for WPSite Shortcode version 1.2 or lowerCheck Version:
wp plugin list --name=wpsite-shortcode --field=version (if WP-CLI installed)Verify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is greater than 1.2 or plugin is completely removed📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to WordPress admin-ajax.php with shortcode parameters
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful contributor login
Network Indicators:
- JavaScript payloads in HTTP POST parameters containing 'format=' or 'before=' attributes
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("wpsite_y" OR "wpsite_postauthor") AND ("format=" OR "before=")🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wpsite-shortcode/tags/1.2/shortcodes/wpsite-date.php#L19
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wpsite-shortcode/tags/1.2/shortcodes/wpsite-date.php#L35
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wpsite-shortcode/tags/1.2/shortcodes/wpsite-date.php#L51
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/0d9712c2-1698-4c67-a700-a4598cb25a95?source=cve
