CVE-2025-4589
📋 TL;DR
The Bon Toolkit WordPress plugin has a stored XSS vulnerability in its 'bt-map' shortcode that allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts into pages. These scripts execute whenever users view the compromised pages, potentially stealing credentials or performing unauthorized actions. All WordPress sites using Bon Toolkit version 1.3.2 or earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Bon Toolkit 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 site, or redirect visitors to malicious sites.
Likely Case
Attackers with contributor access inject malicious scripts to steal user session cookies, redirect users to phishing pages, or display unwanted content.
If Mitigated
With proper user access controls and content review processes, the impact is limited to potential content defacement within the contributor's own posts.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires contributor-level WordPress access. The vulnerability is in publicly available code and weaponization is straightforward for attackers with basic WordPress knowledge.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.3.3 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/bon-toolkit/trunk/includes/shortcodes.php#L71
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Bon Toolkit and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify the plugin version is 1.3.3 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Bon Toolkit plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patching is possible
wp plugin deactivate bon-toolkit
Restrict contributor permissions
linuxTemporarily remove contributor-level access for untrusted users
wp user list --role=contributor --field=ID | xargs wp user set-role subscriber
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict content review process for all posts by contributors before publishing
- Install a web application firewall (WAF) with XSS protection rules
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins → Bon Toolkit version. If version is 1.3.2 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get bon-toolkit --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify the plugin version shows 1.3.3 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual shortcode usage in post content
- Multiple post edits by contributor users
- Suspicious JavaScript in post metadata
Network Indicators:
- External script loads from posts containing bt-map shortcode
- Unusual outbound connections from WordPress pages
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (shortcode="bt-map" OR plugin="bon-toolkit") AND (event="post_update" OR event="post_publish")