CVE-2025-31442
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages through the Search engine keywords highlighter WordPress plugin. When users visit a specially crafted URL, the script executes in their browser, potentially stealing cookies, session tokens, or performing actions on their behalf. WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Search engine keywords highlighter 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, deface websites, or redirect users to malicious sites, potentially leading to complete site compromise and data theft.
Likely Case
Attackers steal user session cookies, perform actions as authenticated users, or redirect users to phishing pages to steal credentials.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts are neutralized before reaching users' browsers, preventing execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
Reflected XSS vulnerabilities are commonly exploited and require minimal technical skill to weaponize.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 0.1.4 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Search engine keywords highlighter'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. If no update appears, deactivate and delete the plugin, then install version 0.1.4+ from WordPress repository.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily disable the Search engine keywords highlighter plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate keywords-highlight-tool
Implement WAF rules
allAdd web application firewall rules to block XSS payloads targeting the vulnerable endpoint
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution
- Use web application firewall to filter malicious input patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for 'Search engine keywords highlighter' version 0.1.3 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get keywords-highlight-tool --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 0.1.4 or later in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual GET/POST requests containing script tags or JavaScript payloads
- Multiple failed requests to plugin endpoints with suspicious parameters
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with encoded script payloads in query parameters
- Traffic patterns showing users being redirected to external domains
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("keywords-highlight-tool" OR "keywords-highlighter") AND ("<script>" OR "javascript:" OR "onerror=" OR "onload=")