CVE-2025-23833
📋 TL;DR
This DOM-based Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the WordPress Links/Problem Reporter plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. When exploited, it can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or defacement of affected WordPress sites. All WordPress installations using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Links/Problem Reporter plugin (also called Report Broken Links)
⚠️ 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 credentials, take over WordPress sites, install backdoors, or redirect visitors to malicious sites, potentially compromising the entire web server if combined with other vulnerabilities.
Likely Case
Attackers steal user session cookies to impersonate logged-in users, potentially gaining administrative access if administrators are targeted, leading to content manipulation or data theft.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts would be neutralized before execution, preventing any client-side code injection.
🎯 Exploit Status
XSS vulnerabilities are commonly weaponized in automated attacks. The DOM-based nature means exploitation occurs entirely in the browser without server-side reflection.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.6.1 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel
2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins
3. Find 'Links/Problem Reporter' or 'Report Broken Links'
4. Click 'Update Now' if available
5. Alternatively, download version 2.6.1+ from WordPress repository and manually update
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the Links/Problem Reporter plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate report-broken-links
Implement Content Security Policy
allAdd CSP headers to restrict script execution sources
Add to .htaccess: Header set Content-Security-Policy "script-src 'self'"
Or add to WordPress functions.php: header("Content-Security-Policy: script-src 'self'");
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the Links/Problem Reporter plugin entirely and use alternative link checking solutions
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads targeting this plugin
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for 'Links/Problem Reporter' or 'Report Broken Links' version 2.6.0 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get report-broken-links --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 2.6.1 or later in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual JavaScript payloads in web server access logs
- Multiple requests to plugin-specific endpoints with script tags
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing script tags or JavaScript events targeting /wp-content/plugins/report-broken-links/
SIEM Query:
source="web_access_logs" AND (uri="/wp-content/plugins/report-broken-links/" AND (content="<script" OR content="javascript:" OR content="onerror=" OR content="onload="))