CVE-2025-23815
📋 TL;DR
This CSRF vulnerability in the linickx root Cookie WordPress plugin allows attackers to trick authenticated administrators into performing unintended actions. Attackers could exploit this to modify plugin settings or potentially chain it with other vulnerabilities. All WordPress sites using root Cookie plugin versions up to 1.6 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress root Cookie plugin by linickx
⚠️ 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 chain CSRF with stored XSS to compromise administrator accounts, leading to full site takeover, data theft, or malware injection.
Likely Case
Attackers modify plugin settings to disrupt functionality or prepare for further attacks, potentially leading to privilege escalation or data exposure.
If Mitigated
With proper CSRF protections and user awareness, impact is limited to failed attack attempts with no successful exploitation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires social engineering to trick authenticated users into clicking malicious links while logged in.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 1.6
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/root-cookie/vulnerability/wordpress-root-cookie-plugin-1-6-csrf-to-stored-xss-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'root Cookie' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available, or manually install latest version from WordPress repository. 5. Verify plugin is updated to version after 1.6.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Implement CSRF Tokens
WordPressAdd CSRF protection to all plugin forms and actions using WordPress nonces
Add wp_nonce_field() to forms and check_admin_referer() to form processing
Disable Plugin
WordPressTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins → Deactivate 'root Cookie'
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block CSRF attempts
- Educate administrators about phishing risks and require manual confirmation for sensitive actions
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for 'root Cookie' version ≤1.6Check Version:
wp plugin list --name='root-cookie' --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm plugin version is >1.6 in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Multiple failed CSRF token validations
- Unexpected plugin setting changes from unusual IPs
Network Indicators:
- POST requests to admin-ajax.php or plugin endpoints without referrer headers
- Requests with suspicious parameters from external domains
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("admin-ajax.php" OR "root-cookie") AND status=200 AND referrer NOT CONTAINS own_domain