CVE-2025-22365
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the WordPress EMC2 Alert Boxes plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages. When users view pages containing these malicious alerts, their browsers execute the attacker's code. All WordPress sites using EMC2 Alert Boxes version 1.3 or earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress EMC2 Alert Boxes 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 admin accounts, deface websites, or redirect users to malicious sites.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript to steal user session cookies or credentials, potentially compromising user accounts.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts would be neutralized before reaching users' browsers.
🎯 Exploit Status
Stored XSS vulnerabilities are commonly exploited in the wild. Attackers need to be able to create or edit alert boxes to inject malicious payloads.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.4 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'EMC2 Alert Boxes' and click 'Update Now'. 4. If update not available, download version 1.4+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the EMC2 Alert Boxes plugin until patched.
wp plugin deactivate emc2-alert-boxes
Restrict User Permissions
allLimit who can create or edit alert boxes to trusted administrators only.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with XSS protection rules
- Add Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for EMC2 Alert Boxes version 1.3 or earlier.Check Version:
wp plugin get emc2-alert-boxes --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.4 or later in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual alert box creation/modification patterns
- Suspicious JavaScript in alert box content
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected script tags in alert box HTTP responses
- Suspicious outbound connections from alert box pages
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND "emc2-alert-boxes" AND ("update" OR "edit" OR "create")