CVE-2025-23824
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the FontAwesome.io ShortCodes WordPress plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages. When users view pages containing the malicious content, the scripts execute in their browsers, potentially stealing credentials or performing unauthorized actions. All WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- FontAwesome.io ShortCodes 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, deface websites, install backdoors, or redirect users to malicious sites.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript to steal user session cookies or credentials, potentially compromising user accounts and site integrity.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts would be neutralized before reaching users' browsers.
🎯 Exploit Status
XSS vulnerabilities are commonly exploited. Attackers need contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts via shortcodes.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.0.1 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find FontAwesome.io ShortCodes. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download latest version from WordPress repository and replace plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate fontawesomeio-shortcodes
Restrict User Roles
allLimit shortcode creation to trusted administrators only
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads
- Enable Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → FontAwesome.io ShortCodes → Version. If version is 1.0 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get fontawesomeio-shortcodes --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After update, verify plugin version shows 1.0.1 or later in WordPress admin plugins page.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual shortcode modifications
- Multiple failed login attempts from new locations after shortcode updates
Network Indicators:
- External script loading from suspicious domains in page responses
- Unexpected outbound connections after page views
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (event="plugin_update" AND plugin="fontawesomeio-shortcodes" AND version<="1.0") OR (event="shortcode_modified" AND user_role="contributor")