CVE-2025-13887
📋 TL;DR
This stored XSS vulnerability in the AI BotKit WordPress plugin 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. All WordPress sites using AI BotKit plugin versions up to 1.1.7 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- AI BotKit – AI Chatbot & Live Support 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, take over the WordPress site, deface pages, redirect users to malicious sites, or install backdoors for persistent access.
Likely Case
Attackers with contributor accounts inject malicious scripts to steal user session cookies, perform actions as authenticated users, or display phishing content to visitors.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output escaping, malicious scripts would be neutralized before execution, preventing any client-side attacks.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires Contributor-level access. The vulnerability is in a publicly accessible shortcode handler, making exploitation straightforward for authenticated attackers.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.1.8 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/ai-botkit-for-lead-generation/#developers
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'AI BotKit – AI Chatbot & Live Support'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. Alternatively, download version 1.1.8+ from WordPress plugin repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Remove vulnerable shortcode usage
allIdentify and remove all instances of the vulnerable 'ai_botkit_widget' shortcode from posts, pages, and widgets
Restrict contributor permissions
allTemporarily remove Contributor role access or downgrade to Subscriber role until patch is applied
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable the AI BotKit plugin completely until patched
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads in the 'id' parameter
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins. If AI BotKit version is 1.1.7 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name='ai-botkit-for-lead-generation' --field=version (if WP-CLI installed)Verify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify plugin version shows 1.1.8 or higher in WordPress admin plugins page.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests containing script tags in 'id' parameter
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful Contributor login
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with JavaScript payloads in URL parameters
- Unexpected outbound connections from WordPress site to external domains
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("ai_botkit_widget" OR "id=" AND ("script" OR "javascript:" OR "onerror="))🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/ai-botkit-for-lead-generation/tags/1.1.7/includes/public/class-shortcode-handler.php#L42
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/ai-botkit-for-lead-generation/trunk/includes/public/class-shortcode-handler.php#L42
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/5659af1d-f248-46ff-b282-ef5397222d8d?source=cve
