CVE-2025-22558
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the mcjh button shortcode WordPress plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages. When users view pages containing the compromised button shortcode, their browsers execute the attacker's code. This affects all WordPress sites using mcjh button shortcode versions up to 1.6.4.
💻 Affected Systems
- mcjh button shortcode 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 could steal administrator session cookies, take over WordPress sites, redirect users to malicious sites, or deploy malware to visitors' browsers.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript to steal user session cookies, perform actions as authenticated users, or deface websites.
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. Attackers need contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts via the button shortcode.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.6.5 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'mcjh button shortcode' and check for updates. 4. If update available, click 'Update Now'. 5. Alternatively, download version 1.6.5+ from WordPress repository and replace plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily disable the mcjh button shortcode plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate mcjh-button-shortcode
Remove plugin files
linuxCompletely remove the vulnerable plugin files from server
rm -rf /path/to/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/mcjh-button-shortcode/
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads in button shortcode parameters
- Restrict user roles that can create/edit posts with button shortcodes to trusted administrators only
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for mcjh button shortcode version. If version is 1.6.4 or lower, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get mcjh-button-shortcode --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify plugin version shows 1.6.5 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to wp-admin/post.php containing button shortcode parameters with script tags
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful contributor/admin login
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections to suspicious domains from WordPress server
- Unexpected JavaScript execution in browser developer console
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (uri_path="/wp-admin/post.php" OR uri_path="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php") AND (http_method="POST") AND (request_body CONTAINS "[button" AND request_body CONTAINS "<script>")