CVE-2025-5699
📋 TL;DR
The Developer Formatter WordPress plugin has a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability in Custom CSS functionality. Authenticated attackers with administrator privileges can inject malicious scripts that execute when users view affected pages. This only impacts WordPress multi-site installations or sites where unfiltered_html capability is disabled.
💻 Affected Systems
- Developer Formatter 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
Administrator account compromise leading to full site takeover, data theft, or malware distribution to visitors.
Likely Case
Session hijacking, credential theft, or defacement of affected WordPress pages.
If Mitigated
Limited impact due to requiring administrator access and specific WordPress configurations.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires administrator-level WordPress access and specific WordPress configuration
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after 2015.0.2.1
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/devformatter/#developers
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins. 3. Find Developer Formatter plugin. 4. Click Update Now or manually update to latest version. 5. Verify plugin is updated to version newer than 2015.0.2.1.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the Developer Formatter plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate devformatter
Enable unfiltered_html
allEnable unfiltered_html capability for administrators (not recommended for security)
Add define('DISALLOW_UNFILTERED_HTML', false); to wp-config.php
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove administrator access from untrusted users
- Implement web application firewall with XSS protection rules
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Developer Formatter version. If version is 2015.0.2.1 or older, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name=devformatter --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is newer than 2015.0.2.1 in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual administrator activity modifying CSS settings
- Suspicious script tags in plugin configuration logs
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected JavaScript execution from WordPress admin pages
- Suspicious outbound connections from admin sessions
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND ("devformatter" OR "devfmt_css") AND ("update" OR "modify" OR "inject")🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/devformatter/trunk/devfmt_css.php
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/devformatter/trunk/devinterface.php
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/devformatter/#developers
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/63192a95-778b-452b-9081-cf20dc7f7ec1?source=cve
