CVE-2025-13840
📋 TL;DR
The BUKAZU Search widget plugin for WordPress versions up to 3.3.2 contains a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability in the 'bukazu_search' shortcode. 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 vulnerable versions of the plugin.
💻 Affected Systems
- BUKAZU Search widget 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 administrator credentials, redirect users to malicious sites, deface websites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
Likely Case
Attackers with contributor access inject malicious scripts to steal user session cookies or display phishing content to visitors.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output escaping, malicious scripts are neutralized before execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but is straightforward once access is obtained.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.3.3 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/bukazu-search-widget
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find BUKAZU Search widget. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download latest version from WordPress plugin repository and replace files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate bukazu-search-widget
Restrict user roles
allRemove Contributor and higher access from untrusted users
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall with XSS protection rules
- Apply content security policy headers to restrict script execution
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins for BUKAZU Search widget versionCheck Version:
wp plugin get bukazu-search-widget --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 3.3.3 or higher in WordPress admin📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to wp-admin with 'shortcode' parameter containing script tags
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful contributor login
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections to suspicious domains from WordPress server
- Unusual traffic patterns to pages containing bukazu_search shortcode
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("bukazu_search" OR "shortcode") AND ("<script>" OR "javascript:")