CVE-2025-24719
📋 TL;DR
This stored XSS vulnerability in the Widget Countdown WordPress plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute when other users view affected pages. WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected, potentially compromising user sessions and site integrity.
💻 Affected Systems
- wpdevart Widget Countdown 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 credentials, deface websites, redirect users to malicious sites, or install backdoors for persistent access.
Likely Case
Session hijacking, cookie theft, or defacement of public-facing pages containing the vulnerable widget.
If Mitigated
Limited to low-privilege user compromise if proper content security policies and input validation are enforced elsewhere.
🎯 Exploit Status
Stored XSS vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins are commonly exploited. Attackers need contributor-level access or higher to inject payloads.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.7.2 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Widget Countdown' and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify update to version 2.7.2 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the Widget Countdown plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate widget-countdown
Implement Content Security Policy
allAdd CSP headers to restrict script execution sources
Add to .htaccess: Header set Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'"
Or use WordPress security plugins to configure CSP
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove or disable the Widget Countdown plugin entirely
- Restrict user roles that can edit posts/pages containing the widget
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin > Plugins > Installed Plugins for Widget Countdown version 2.7.1 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get widget-countdown --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm Widget Countdown plugin version is 2.7.2 or higher in WordPress admin📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with widget-countdown parameters
- JavaScript payloads in post/page content containing countdown-related fields
Network Indicators:
- External script loads from unexpected domains on pages with countdown widgets
- Suspicious iframe or script injections in page responses
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("widget-countdown" OR "countdown") AND ("script" OR "javascript" OR "onload" OR "onerror")