CVE-2025-30612
📋 TL;DR
This CSRF vulnerability in the WordPress Replace Default Words plugin allows attackers to trick authenticated administrators into performing unintended actions, leading to stored XSS payload injection. It affects all WordPress sites using the plugin versions up to 1.3. Attackers can inject malicious scripts that execute when other users visit affected pages.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Replace Default Words 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 inject persistent malicious scripts that steal admin credentials, deface websites, redirect visitors to malicious sites, or install backdoors for further compromise.
Likely Case
Attackers would typically inject scripts to steal session cookies or admin credentials, potentially gaining full control of the WordPress site.
If Mitigated
With proper CSRF protections and input validation, the attack would fail at the initial CSRF stage, preventing XSS payload injection entirely.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires social engineering to trick an authenticated admin, but the technical execution is straightforward once CSRF is successful.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 1.3 (check plugin repository for latest)
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Replace Default Words' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available, or delete and install latest version from WordPress repository.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
WordPressTemporarily disable the Replace Default Words plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate replace-default-words
Implement CSRF protection
WordPressAdd CSRF tokens to WordPress forms using security plugins
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict admin access to trusted networks only
- Implement web application firewall with CSRF and XSS protection rules
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Replace Default Words → Version. If version is 1.3 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get replace-default-words --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After update, verify plugin version is higher than 1.3 in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php or plugin-specific endpoints
- Multiple failed CSRF token validations
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected JavaScript injection in plugin settings or content
- External script loads from suspicious domains
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (uri_path="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" OR uri_path CONTAINS "replace-default-words") AND status=200 AND user_agent NOT IN ("normal_user_agents")