CVE-2025-47443
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Widget Countdown WordPress plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages that are then executed when other users view those pages. All WordPress sites using Widget Countdown versions up to 2.7.4 are affected. Attackers can steal session cookies, redirect users, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
💻 Affected Systems
- wpdevart Widget Countdown 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 site, 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 actions as authenticated users.
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. The vulnerability requires contributor-level access or higher to exploit.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.7.5
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Widget Countdown' and click 'Update Now'. 4. Alternatively, download version 2.7.5 from WordPress.org and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Widget Countdown Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate widget-countdown
Implement Content Security Policy
allAdd CSP headers to mitigate XSS impact
Add to .htaccess: Header set Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'"
Add to wp-config.php: header("Content-Security-Policy: default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'");
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the Widget Countdown plugin entirely from your WordPress installation
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads targeting this plugin
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for Widget Countdown version. If version is 2.7.4 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get widget-countdown --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify Widget Countdown shows version 2.7.5 in WordPress admin plugins page.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to WordPress admin-ajax.php with script tags
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful contributor/admin login
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections to suspicious domains after visiting pages with countdown widgets
- Unexpected JavaScript execution in browser developer tools
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("widget-countdown" OR "countdown") AND ("script" OR "javascript" OR "onload" OR "onerror")