CVE-2025-23946
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Enhanced YouTube Shortcode 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. This affects all WordPress sites using the plugin version 2.0.1 or earlier.
💻 Affected Systems
- Enhanced YouTube Shortcode 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, redirect users to malicious sites, or deploy malware to visitors' browsers.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript to steal user session cookies, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, or deface website content.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts would be neutralized before reaching users' browsers.
🎯 Exploit Status
XSS vulnerabilities are commonly weaponized. Attackers need contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.0.2 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find Enhanced YouTube Shortcode. 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 enhanced-youtube-shortcode
Content Security Policy
allImplement 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 plugin entirely and use alternative YouTube embedding methods
- Restrict user roles that can create/edit posts to trusted administrators only
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin > Plugins > Enhanced YouTube Shortcode. If version is 2.0.1 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get enhanced-youtube-shortcode --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 2.0.2 or later in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual post/page edits containing JavaScript payloads
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful contributor/admin login
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections to suspicious domains from user browsers after visiting your site
- Unexpected JavaScript includes in page responses
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("enhanced-youtube-shortcode" OR "youtube_shortcode") AND ("script" OR "javascript" OR "onclick" OR "onload")