CVE-2025-31614
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the WordPress Terms Before Download plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages. When exploited, these scripts execute in victims' browsers, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting users, or performing actions on their behalf. WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Terms Before Download 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, gain administrative access to the WordPress site, install backdoors, deface the site, or pivot to internal network resources.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript that steals user session cookies or redirects users to phishing sites, potentially compromising user accounts and sensitive data.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts would be neutralized before reaching users' browsers, preventing exploitation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Stored XSS vulnerabilities typically require some level of access to inject malicious payloads, but once injected, exploitation is straightforward.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.0.5 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Terms Before Download' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update is available. 5. Alternatively, download version 1.0.5+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily disable the Terms Before Download plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate terms-before-download
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'"
Add to wp-config.php: header("Content-Security-Policy: default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'");
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads
- Disable user input fields that accept HTML/JavaScript in the plugin settings
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Terms Before Download > Version number. If version is 1.0.4 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get terms-before-download --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify plugin version shows 1.0.5 or later in WordPress admin plugins page.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to plugin endpoints with script tags
- Multiple failed login attempts following suspicious plugin activity
- Unexpected iframe or script injections in page content
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing <script> tags to plugin endpoints
- Outbound connections to suspicious domains from your WordPress site
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("terms-before-download" OR "tbd_") AND ("<script>" OR "javascript:" OR "onerror=" OR "onload=")