CVE-2025-31754
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the DobsonDev Shortcodes WordPress plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages that persist across sessions. When users view pages containing the malicious shortcodes, their browsers execute the attacker's code, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or website defacement. All WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- DobsonDev Shortcodes 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 the WordPress site, install backdoors, steal sensitive user data, or redirect visitors to malicious sites.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript to steal user session cookies, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, or deface website content.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts would be neutralized before reaching users' browsers.
🎯 Exploit Status
Stored XSS vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins are commonly exploited. While no public PoC is confirmed, the vulnerability type and CVSS score suggest exploitation is straightforward for attackers with basic web skills.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.1.13 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'DobsonDev Shortcodes' and check if update is available. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update is available. 5. Alternatively, download version 2.1.13+ from WordPress.org and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable DobsonDev Shortcodes Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate dobsondev-shortcodes
Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF)
allConfigure WAF rules to block XSS payloads targeting shortcode parameters
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove or disable the DobsonDev Shortcodes plugin entirely
- Implement strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for 'DobsonDev Shortcodes' version 2.1.12 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get dobsondev-shortcodes --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 2.1.13 or later in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to WordPress admin-ajax.php with shortcode parameters
- JavaScript payloads in WordPress post/page content
- Multiple failed login attempts following suspicious content updates
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections to suspicious domains from your WordPress server
- Unexpected iframe or script tags in HTTP responses
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("dobsondev" OR "shortcode") AND ("script" OR "javascript" OR "onload" OR "onerror")