CVE-2025-15283
📋 TL;DR
The Name Directory WordPress plugin up to version 1.30.3 has a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers 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 vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Name Directory 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 session cookies, take over WordPress sites, install backdoors, redirect visitors to malicious sites, or deploy ransomware notices.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript to steal user session cookies, redirect users to phishing pages, or deface websites with malicious content.
If Mitigated
With proper web application firewalls and content security policies, malicious scripts would be blocked from executing, limiting impact to attempted attacks.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability requires no authentication and exploitation is straightforward via HTTP POST requests to vulnerable endpoints.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.30.4 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/name-directory/tags/1.30.4
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Name Directory plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update appears, manually download version 1.30.4+ from WordPress.org and replace plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Name Directory Plugin
linuxTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate name-directory
Implement Content Security Policy
allAdd CSP headers to block inline script execution
Add to .htaccess: Header set Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'"
Or add to wp-config.php: header("Content-Security-Policy: default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'");
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable the Name Directory plugin immediately
- Implement a web application firewall (WAF) with XSS protection rules
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Name Directory → Version number. If version is 1.30.3 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get name-directory --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify plugin version shows 1.30.4 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with name_directory_name or name_directory_description parameters containing script tags
- Multiple failed XSS attempts in web server logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests containing <script> tags in parameters
- Unusual outbound connections from WordPress site after visiting name directory pages
SIEM Query:
source="web_server_logs" AND ("name_directory_name" OR "name_directory_description") AND ("<script>" OR "javascript:" OR "onload=" OR "onerror=")🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/name-directory/tags/1.30.3/admin.php?marks=927-928#L927
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/name-directory/tags/1.30.3/shortcode.php?marks=38,41,69#L38
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/3c9de67e-24f7-4c4a-b187-405597b838c3?source=cve
