CVE-2025-13704
📋 TL;DR
The Autogen Headers Menu WordPress plugin has a stored XSS vulnerability that allows authenticated attackers with Contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts into website pages. When users visit compromised pages, the scripts execute in their browsers, potentially stealing credentials or performing unauthorized actions. This affects all WordPress sites using plugin versions up to 1.0.1.
💻 Affected Systems
- Autogen Headers Menu 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 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 credentials, leading to account takeover and potential privilege escalation.
If Mitigated
With proper user role management and input validation, impact is limited to low-privilege user account compromise rather than full site takeover.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but is technically simple once attacker has contributor-level credentials.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.0.2 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/autogen-headers-menu
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel
2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins
3. Find 'Autogen Headers Menu' plugin
4. Click 'Update Now' if update is available
5. If no update appears, manually download version 1.0.2+ from WordPress.org
6. Deactivate and delete old version, then upload and activate new version
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate autogen-headers-menu
Restrict User Roles
allTemporarily remove contributor-level posting capabilities
wp role remove_cap contributor edit_posts
wp role remove_cap contributor publish_posts
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads in 'head_class' parameter
- Remove contributor-level access for untrusted users and implement strict user role management
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins for Autogen Headers Menu version 1.0.1 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get autogen-headers-menu --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.0.2 or later in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests containing script tags in 'head_class' parameter
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful contributor login
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections to suspicious domains from WordPress site
- Unexpected JavaScript execution in user browsers
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("head_class" AND ("<script>" OR "javascript:" OR "onerror=" OR "onload="))🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/autogen-headers-menu/tags/1.0.1/index.php#L115
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/autogen-headers-menu/tags/1.0.1/index.php#L53
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/autogen-headers-menu/trunk/index.php#L115
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/autogen-headers-menu/trunk/index.php#L53
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/a63bf106-78cf-441b-a1b3-77ec1cf6c22b?source=cve
