CVE-2025-57989
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the WordPress Widgets Shortcode plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages. When exploited, these scripts execute in visitors' browsers, potentially stealing session cookies or performing actions on their behalf. All WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Widgets Shortcode 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 session cookies, take over the WordPress site, deface content, install backdoors, or redirect visitors to malicious sites.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript to steal user session cookies or credentials, potentially compromising user accounts and site integrity.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts would be neutralized before execution, preventing exploitation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires the attacker to have contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 1.0.3
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'WordPress Widgets Shortcode'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. If no update is available, deactivate and delete the plugin.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the WordPress Widgets Shortcode plugin until patched version is available.
wp plugin deactivate wp-widgets-shortcode
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution
- Apply web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for 'WordPress Widgets Shortcode' version 1.0.3 or earlier.Check Version:
wp plugin get wp-widgets-shortcode --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is updated beyond 1.0.3 in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests containing script tags to plugin endpoints
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful contributor/admin login
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections to suspicious domains from your WordPress server
- Unusual JavaScript payloads in HTTP requests
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND ("wp-widgets-shortcode" OR "script" OR "javascript") AND status=200