CVE-2025-3422
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated WordPress users with Subscriber-level access or higher to execute arbitrary shortcodes through the Everest Forms plugin. Attackers can leverage this to perform unauthorized actions like content injection, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration. All WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of Everest Forms are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Everest Forms WordPress Plugin
📦 What is this software?
Everest Forms by Wpeverest
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could execute malicious shortcodes to escalate privileges, inject backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or take full control of the WordPress site.
Likely Case
Authenticated attackers would execute shortcodes to modify content, create administrative accounts, or embed malicious scripts in pages.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact would be limited to minor content manipulation by low-privilege users.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but is technically simple once authentication is obtained.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.1.2
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3268742/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel
2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins
3. Find Everest Forms
4. Click 'Update Now' if available
5. Alternatively, download version 3.1.2+ from WordPress repository
6. Deactivate and delete old version
7. Upload and activate new version
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Everest Forms Plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the vulnerable plugin until patching is possible
wp plugin deactivate everest-forms
Restrict User Registration
allDisable new user registration to prevent attackers from obtaining Subscriber accounts
Set WordPress Settings → General → Membership to 'Anyone can register' = OFF
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls and monitor Subscriber-level user activities
- Use web application firewall rules to block suspicious shortcode execution patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Everest Forms plugin version in WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed PluginsCheck Version:
wp plugin get everest-forms --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm Everest Forms version is 3.1.2 or higher in plugin details📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual shortcode execution patterns in WordPress debug logs
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful Subscriber login
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to Everest Forms endpoints with unusual parameters
- Unexpected outbound connections after authenticated sessions
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (event="shortcode_execution" OR plugin="everest-forms") AND user_role="subscriber"