CVE-2025-53463
📋 TL;DR
This DOM-based Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the HT Mega plugin for WPBakery Page Builder allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability affects WordPress sites using the HT Mega - Absolute Addons plugin versions up to 1.0.9. Attackers could steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
💻 Affected Systems
- HT Mega - Absolute Addons for WPBakery Page Builder
⚠️ 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 session cookies, take over WordPress sites, install backdoors, deface websites, or redirect visitors to malicious sites.
Likely Case
Attackers steal user session cookies, perform actions as authenticated users, or redirect users to phishing pages.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, the impact is limited to minor data leakage or temporary session hijacking.
🎯 Exploit Status
DOM-based XSS requires specific user interaction or crafted inputs. No public exploit code is currently available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 1.0.9
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'HT Mega - Absolute Addons for WPBakery Page Builder'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. If no update is available, deactivate and delete the plugin, then install the latest version from the WordPress repository.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
WordPressTemporarily disable the HT Mega plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate ht-mega-for-wpbakery
Implement Content Security Policy
ApacheAdd CSP headers to mitigate XSS attacks
Add to .htaccess: Header set Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline' 'unsafe-eval' https:"
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable the HT Mega plugin completely
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for HT Mega version 1.0.9 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get ht-mega-for-wpbakery --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is greater than 1.0.9 in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests containing script tags or JavaScript payloads to plugin endpoints
- Multiple failed XSS attempts in web server logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with suspicious parameters containing script tags or JavaScript code
- Unexpected redirects from the WordPress site
SIEM Query:
source="web_server" AND (uri_path="*wp-content/plugins/ht-mega*" AND (http_method="POST" OR http_method="GET") AND (request_body="*<script>*" OR request_body="*javascript:*" OR uri_query="*<script>*"))