CVE-2025-5289
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated WordPress users with Contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts into web pages using the 3D FlipBook plugin. The scripts execute whenever other users view the compromised pages, potentially stealing credentials or performing unauthorized actions. Only WordPress sites using block-based themes with vulnerable plugin versions are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- 3D FlipBook – PDF Embedder, PDF Flipbook Viewer, Flipbook Image Gallery plugin for WordPress
📦 What is this software?
3d Flipbook by 3dflipbook
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could steal administrator credentials, deface websites, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious scripts to steal user session cookies or credentials, potentially gaining higher privileges or compromising user accounts.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output escaping, the vulnerability is prevented, and only authenticated users can access administrative functions.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access (Contributor role or higher). The vulnerability is in publicly accessible code and relatively simple to exploit.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.16.16 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/interactive-3d-flipbook-powered-physics-engine/#developers
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find '3D FlipBook – PDF Embedder' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update is available. 5. Alternatively, download version 1.16.16+ from WordPress plugin repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable plugin temporarily
allDeactivate the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate interactive-3d-flipbook-powered-physics-engine
Restrict user roles
allTemporarily remove Contributor role access or limit to trusted users only
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads in 'style' and 'mode' parameters
- Switch from block-based themes to classic themes until patched
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for '3D FlipBook – PDF Embedder' version. If version is 1.16.15 or lower and using block-based theme, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get interactive-3d-flipbook-powered-physics-engine --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.16.16 or higher in WordPress admin panel. Check that 'style' and 'mode' parameters in shortcode.php lines 130 and 134 now have proper sanitization.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to WordPress admin-ajax.php with 'style' or 'mode' parameters containing script tags
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful Contributor-level login
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing malicious script payloads in URL parameters
- Outbound connections to suspicious domains after page views
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("style=<script" OR "mode=<script" OR "javascript:" IN parameters)🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/interactive-3d-flipbook-powered-physics-engine/trunk/inc/shortcode.php#L130
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/interactive-3d-flipbook-powered-physics-engine/trunk/inc/shortcode.php#L134
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3315198/
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/interactive-3d-flipbook-powered-physics-engine/#developers
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/72b76475-5215-47fd-badf-e2c542b25d4b?source=cve
