CVE-2025-13604
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts into WordPress pages using the CleanTalk security plugin. When users visit compromised pages, the scripts execute in their browsers, potentially stealing credentials or performing unauthorized actions. All WordPress sites using CleanTalk plugin versions up to 2.168 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Login Security, FireWall, Malware removal by CleanTalk 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 websites, install backdoors, or redirect visitors to malicious sites, leading to complete site compromise and data theft.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript to steal user session cookies, redirect users to phishing pages, or deface websites by modifying page content.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output escaping, the vulnerability would be prevented, and even if exploited, web application firewalls could block malicious payloads.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability requires no authentication and involves simple script injection via page URLs, making exploitation straightforward.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.169 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/security-malware-firewall/#developers
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Security & Malware scan by CleanTalk' and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify plugin version is 2.169 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the CleanTalk plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate security-malware-firewall
Enable WAF protection
allConfigure web application firewall to block XSS payloads
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution
- Deploy network-level WAF with XSS protection rules
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for 'Security & Malware scan by CleanTalk' version 2.168 or lowerCheck Version:
wp plugin get security-malware-firewall --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 2.169 or higher in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual URL parameters containing script tags or JavaScript in access logs
- Multiple failed XSS attempts in security plugin logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with suspicious script payloads in URL parameters
- Outbound connections to unknown domains from compromised pages
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress_access.log" AND ("<script" OR "javascript:" OR "onerror=" OR "onload=")