CVE-2025-13739
📋 TL;DR
The CryptX WordPress plugin has a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability in its shortcode functionality. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher can inject malicious scripts that execute when users view affected pages. This affects all WordPress sites using CryptX plugin versions up to 4.0.4.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress CryptX 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 session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, perform actions on behalf of users, or install backdoors on the WordPress site.
Likely Case
Attackers with contributor access inject malicious scripts to steal admin credentials or redirect users to phishing pages.
If Mitigated
With proper user access controls and content security policies, impact is limited to potential defacement or limited data exposure.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but is technically simple once access is obtained.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 4.0.5 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3200000/cryptx/trunk/classes/CryptX.php
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find CryptX plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update available, download version 4.0.5+ from WordPress plugin repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Remove Contributor Access
allTemporarily remove contributor-level access for untrusted users until patch is applied.
Disable CryptX Plugin
allTemporarily disable the CryptX plugin if not essential for site functionality.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution
- Review and audit all user accounts with contributor access or higher
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins → CryptX version. If version is 4.0.4 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name=cryptx --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify CryptX plugin version is 4.0.5 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual shortcode modifications in post/page content
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful contributor login
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected script tags in CryptX shortcode output
- External script loads from posts/pages using cryptx shortcode
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (event_type="plugin_update" AND plugin_name="cryptx" AND old_version<="4.0.4") OR (event_type="post_edit" AND user_role="contributor" AND content CONTAINS "[cryptx")🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/cryptx/tags/4.0.4/classes/CryptX.php#L1295
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/cryptx/tags/4.0.4/classes/CryptX.php#L149
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/cryptx/tags/4.0.4/classes/CryptX.php#L237
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/cryptx/tags/4.0.4/classes/CryptX.php#L604
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/2f8cb7d7-eb40-403e-85de-c16200ee424d?source=cve
