CVE-2025-22641
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the FM Notification Bar WordPress plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages that are then executed when other users view those pages. The vulnerability affects all WordPress sites running FM Notification Bar versions up to and including 1.0.2. Attackers can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
💻 Affected Systems
- FM Notification Bar 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, install backdoors, deface websites, or redirect visitors to malicious sites that distribute malware.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript to steal user session cookies, potentially compromising user accounts and performing unauthorized actions within the WordPress dashboard.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts would be neutralized before being stored or displayed to users.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability requires authentication to exploit, but once exploited, the XSS payload affects all users viewing the compromised page.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.0.3 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin dashboard. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find FM Notification Bar and click 'Update Now' if available. 4. If no update is available, deactivate and delete the plugin, then install the latest version from WordPress repository.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched version is available
wp plugin deactivate fm-notification-bar
Content Security Policy
allImplement strict Content Security Policy headers to mitigate XSS impact
Add 'Content-Security-Policy: default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'' to web server configuration
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads
- Restrict plugin access to trusted administrators only and monitor for suspicious activity
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin dashboard > Plugins > Installed Plugins for FM Notification Bar version 1.0.2 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get fm-notification-bar --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify FM Notification Bar version is 1.0.3 or later in WordPress plugins list📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to notification bar endpoints
- JavaScript payloads in form submissions
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful login
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections to suspicious domains from WordPress server
- Unexpected JavaScript execution in browser developer tools
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (plugin="fm-notification-bar" OR uri="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php") AND (method="POST" AND (body CONTAINS "<script>" OR body CONTAINS "javascript:"))