CVE-2025-39502
📋 TL;DR
This reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Goodlayers Hostel WordPress plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages. When exploited, it can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. All WordPress sites using Goodlayers Hostel plugin versions up to 3.1.2 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Goodlayers Hostel 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 steal administrator credentials, take over the WordPress site, install backdoors, and compromise all user data.
Likely Case
Attackers steal user session cookies, perform actions as authenticated users, or redirect users to phishing sites.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper input validation, output encoding, and Content Security Policy (CSP) headers in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Reflected XSS vulnerabilities are commonly exploited using simple payloads. Attackers need to trick users into clicking malicious links.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.1.3 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Goodlayers Hostel' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update, download latest version from WordPress repository. 6. Deactivate old plugin. 7. Upload and activate new version.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Web Application Firewall (WAF)
allDeploy WAF rules to block XSS payloads and malicious requests.
Content Security Policy
allImplement CSP headers to restrict script execution sources.
Header set Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'"
Header set X-Content-Type-Options "nosniff"
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable the Goodlayers Hostel plugin immediately.
- Implement strict input validation and output encoding in custom code.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for Goodlayers Hostel version. If version is 3.1.2 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name=goodlayers-hostel --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify plugin version shows 3.1.3 or later in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual GET/POST requests containing script tags or JavaScript payloads in query parameters
- Multiple failed XSS attempts in web server logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with suspicious parameters like <script>, javascript:, or encoded payloads
- Traffic patterns showing users being redirected to external sites
SIEM Query:
source="web_server_logs" AND (uri="*<script>*" OR uri="*javascript:*" OR uri="*%3Cscript%3E*")