CVE-2025-31744
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Lightweight and Responsive Youtube Embed WordPress plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute when other users view affected pages. The vulnerability affects all WordPress sites using this plugin version 1.0.0 or earlier. Attackers could steal session cookies, redirect users, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
💻 Affected Systems
- Lightweight and Responsive 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 credentials, take over the WordPress site, install backdoors, deface the website, or use the compromised site to attack visitors.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript to steal user session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform limited actions as authenticated users.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, the malicious scripts would be rendered harmless as text rather than executable code.
🎯 Exploit Status
Stored XSS vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins are commonly exploited. While no public PoC is mentioned, the vulnerability type is well-understood and easy to weaponize.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.0.1 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Lightweight and Responsive Youtube Embed'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update available, deactivate and delete the plugin, then install the latest version from WordPress repository.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily disable the plugin until patched version is available
wp plugin deactivate lightweight-and-responsive-youtube-embed
Implement Content Security Policy
linuxAdd CSP headers to restrict script execution sources
Add to .htaccess: Header set Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self' https://apis.google.com https://www.youtube.com;"
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the plugin entirely and use alternative YouTube embedding methods
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for 'Lightweight and Responsive Youtube Embed' version 1.0.0 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get lightweight-and-responsive-youtube-embed --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.0.1 or later in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to WordPress admin-ajax.php or plugin endpoints containing script tags or JavaScript payloads
- Multiple failed login attempts following suspicious plugin activity
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections to unknown domains from WordPress server following plugin usage
- Unexpected iframe or script tags in HTTP responses from WordPress pages
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("lightweight-and-responsive-youtube-embed" OR "youtube-embed") AND ("<script>" OR "javascript:" OR "onerror=" OR "onload=")