CVE-2025-12661
📋 TL;DR
The Pollcaster Shortcode Plugin for WordPress has a stored XSS vulnerability in the 'height' parameter of its shortcode. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher can inject malicious scripts that execute when users view affected pages. All versions up to and including 1.0 are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Pollcaster Shortcode Plugin for WordPress
⚠️ 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 admin credentials, deface websites, redirect users to malicious sites, or install backdoors for persistent access.
Likely Case
Attackers with contributor access inject malicious scripts to steal user session cookies or display phishing content to visitors.
If Mitigated
With proper user role management and content review, impact is limited to potential defacement of specific pages.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but is technically simple once authenticated.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Not available
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/pollcaster-shortcode/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Remove the Pollcaster Shortcode Plugin
2. Delete all posts/pages containing pollcaster shortcodes
3. Consider alternative polling plugins
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allDeactivate and remove the vulnerable plugin
wp plugin deactivate pollcaster-shortcode
wp plugin delete pollcaster-shortcode
Restrict User Roles
allLimit contributor-level access to trusted users only
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict content review process for all posts/pages from contributors
- Add WAF rules to block XSS payloads in post content
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Pollcaster Shortcode version. If version ≤ 1.0, you're vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get pollcaster-shortcode --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm plugin is removed and no posts contain [pollcaster] shortcodes.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual post edits by contributor users
- Posts containing suspicious height parameters in pollcaster shortcodes
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections to suspicious domains from your WordPress site
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (event="post_edit" AND user_role="contributor" AND content LIKE "%[pollcaster%height=%")