CVE-2025-22276
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the WordPress Related Post Shortcode plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages. When exploited, these scripts execute in visitors' browsers, potentially stealing session cookies or redirecting users. All WordPress sites using vulnerable versions (1.2 and earlier) of this plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Related Post Shortcode 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, deface content, or install backdoors for persistent access.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript to steal user session cookies, redirect visitors to phishing sites, or display unwanted advertisements.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts would be neutralized before reaching users' browsers.
🎯 Exploit Status
Stored XSS vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins are commonly exploited. Attackers need contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.3 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Related Post Shortcode'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, delete the plugin and install version 1.3+ from WordPress repository.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily disable the Related Post Shortcode plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate related-post-shortcode
Implement Content Security Policy
allAdd CSP headers to restrict script execution sources
Add to .htaccess: Header set Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'"
Or use WordPress security plugins to configure CSP
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the Related Post Shortcode plugin completely from your WordPress installation
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads targeting this plugin
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin > Plugins > Installed Plugins for 'Related Post Shortcode' version 1.2 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get related-post-shortcode --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.3 or higher in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to WordPress admin-ajax.php or admin-post.php containing script tags
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful contributor/admin login
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections to suspicious domains from your WordPress server
- Unusual JavaScript payloads in HTTP requests
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("related-post-shortcode" OR "admin-ajax.php") AND ("<script>" OR "javascript:" OR "onerror=" OR "onload=")