CVE-2025-14835
📋 TL;DR
The WP Photo Album Plus WordPress plugin contains a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability in the 'shortcode' parameter that allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts. When users click specially crafted links, attackers can steal session cookies, redirect users, or perform actions on their behalf. All WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WP Photo Album Plus 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 steal administrator session cookies, gain full control of WordPress site, install backdoors, deface website, or steal sensitive data.
Likely Case
Attackers steal user session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform limited actions within user context.
If Mitigated
Script execution blocked by Content Security Policy or modern browser XSS protections, limiting impact to minor data leakage.
🎯 Exploit Status
Reflected XSS vulnerabilities are commonly weaponized; exploitation requires user interaction (clicking malicious link).
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 9.1.05.009 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find WP Photo Album Plus and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify plugin version is 9.1.05.009 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable WP Photo Album Plus plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate wp-photo-album-plus
Web Application Firewall Rule
linuxBlock requests containing malicious script patterns in shortcode parameter
ModSecurity rule: SecRule ARGS:shortcode "@rx <script" "id:1001,phase:2,deny,status:403,msg:'XSS attempt in shortcode parameter'"
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution
- Use browser security features like HttpOnly cookies and SameSite attributes
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check plugin version in WordPress admin panel under Plugins → Installed PluginsCheck Version:
wp plugin get wp-photo-album-plus --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 9.1.05.009 or higher and test shortcode parameter with basic XSS payloads📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests with script tags in shortcode parameter
- Unusual referrer URLs containing script payloads
- Multiple 403 errors from WAF blocking attempts
Network Indicators:
- GET requests with encoded script payloads in URL parameters
- Traffic patterns showing users redirected after clicking specific links
SIEM Query:
source="web_server" AND (url="*shortcode=*<script*" OR url="*shortcode=*javascript:*")🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-photo-album-plus/tags/9.1.05.004/wppa-ajax.php#L1130
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-photo-album-plus/tags/9.1.05.004/wppa-ajax.php#L43
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-photo-album-plus/tags/9.1.05.004/wppa-filter.php#L125
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-photo-album-plus/tags/9.1.05.004/wppa-functions.php#L5617
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&new=3427638%40wp-photo-album-plus%2Ftrunk&old=3426267%40wp-photo-album-plus%2Ftrunk&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/0903521d-3b07-4539-97c9-15e6bbe2cc2e?source=cve
