CVE-2025-31008
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the YouTube Embed 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 vulnerable versions of the YouTube Embed plugin.
💻 Affected Systems
- YouTube Embed 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 that steals user session cookies or credentials, potentially compromising user accounts on the affected WordPress site.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts would be neutralized before reaching users' browsers.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires the ability to create or edit content containing YouTube embeds. Attackers typically need contributor-level access or exploit another vulnerability to inject malicious scripts.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 5.3.2 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find YouTube Embed plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download latest version from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable YouTube Embed Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate youtube-embed
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 add to WordPress functions.php: header("Content-Security-Policy: default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'");
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the YouTube Embed plugin entirely and use alternative embedding methods
- Implement strict user role permissions to limit who can create/edit content with embeds
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin > Plugins > Installed Plugins for YouTube Embed version. If version is 5.3.1 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get youtube-embed --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify YouTube Embed plugin shows version 5.3.2 or later in WordPress admin plugins list.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual content modifications containing JavaScript in post/page edits
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful contributor/admin login
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections to suspicious domains from WordPress site visitors
- Unexpected script loads from external domains
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("youtube-embed" OR "youtube embed") AND ("script" OR "javascript" OR "onclick" OR "onload")