CVE-2025-12660
📋 TL;DR
The Padlet Shortcode WordPress plugin has a stored XSS 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 version 1.3 or earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Padlet 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, deface websites, redirect users to malicious sites, or install backdoors for persistent access.
Likely Case
Attackers with contributor accounts inject malicious scripts to steal user session cookies or credentials, potentially compromising user accounts.
If Mitigated
With proper user access controls and content filtering, impact is limited to isolated page defacement or minor data leakage.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but is technically simple once attacker has contributor-level credentials.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check WordPress plugin repository for updated version
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/wallwisher-shortcode/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Padlet Shortcode' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update, deactivate and delete plugin immediately.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allDeactivate the vulnerable plugin to prevent exploitation
wp plugin deactivate wallwisher-shortcode
Restrict User Roles
allLimit contributor-level access to trusted users only
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove contributor-level access from untrusted users
- Implement web application firewall with XSS protection rules
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins for 'Padlet Shortcode' version 1.3 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get wallwisher-shortcode --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin is either updated to version after 1.3 or completely removed from the system📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to WordPress containing 'wallwisher' shortcode with script tags
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful contributor login
Network Indicators:
- Inbound requests with JavaScript payloads in 'key' parameter
- Outbound connections to suspicious domains from WordPress server
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("wallwisher" OR "key=" AND "<script")