CVE-2025-23480
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the RSVP ME 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 using RSVP ME plugin versions up to 1.9.9. Attackers can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
💻 Affected Systems
- RSVP ME 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, redirect users to phishing pages, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, the malicious scripts would be rendered harmless as text rather than executable code.
🎯 Exploit Status
XSS vulnerabilities are commonly weaponized. The Patchstack reference provides technical details that could be used to create exploits.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.10.0 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/rsvp-me/vulnerability/wordpress-rsvp-me-plugin-1-9-9-cross-site-scripting-xss-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find RSVP ME plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update is available. 5. Alternatively, download latest version from WordPress repository and replace plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable RSVP ME Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate rsvp-me
Implement Content Security Policy
allAdd CSP headers to restrict script execution
Add to .htaccess: Header set Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'"
Add to nginx config: add_header Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'";
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove RSVP ME plugin completely and use alternative event management solutions
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads targeting RSVP ME endpoints
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins → RSVP ME version. If version is 1.9.9 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get rsvp-me --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify RSVP ME plugin version shows 1.10.0 or later in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to RSVP ME plugin endpoints containing script tags or JavaScript code
- Multiple failed attempts to access RSVP ME admin functions from unusual IPs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing <script> tags or JavaScript payloads sent to /wp-content/plugins/rsvp-me/ endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND (uri_path="/wp-content/plugins/rsvp-me/" OR user_agent="*rsvp-me*") AND (http_method="POST" OR http_method="PUT") AND (request_body="*<script>*" OR request_body="*javascript:*" OR request_body="*onload=*" OR request_body="*onerror=*")