CVE-2025-23444
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Scroll Top Advanced WordPress plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages. When users view pages containing the malicious scripts, the attacker can steal session cookies, redirect users, or perform actions on their behalf. All WordPress sites using Scroll Top Advanced version 2.5 or earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Scroll Top Advanced 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.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript that steals user session cookies or redirects visitors to phishing/malware sites when they view affected pages.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts would be neutralized before reaching users, preventing exploitation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts. The vulnerability is stored/persistent, affecting all users who view the compromised pages.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.6 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Scroll Top Advanced. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update available, deactivate and delete plugin, then install fresh version 2.6+ from WordPress repository.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily disable the Scroll Top Advanced plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate scroll-top-advanced
Apply WAF rules
allConfigure web application firewall to block XSS payloads targeting this plugin
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict user roles - Only allow trusted administrators to access plugin settings
- Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to mitigate script execution
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Scroll Top Advanced → Version. If version is 2.5 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get scroll-top-advanced --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify version shows 2.6 or higher in WordPress plugins list.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to scroll-top-advanced admin endpoints containing script tags or JavaScript payloads
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful contributor/admin login
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing malicious script payloads in parameters related to scroll-top-advanced
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("scroll-top-advanced" OR "scroll_top_advanced") AND ("<script>" OR "javascript:" OR "onerror=" OR "onload=")