CVE-2025-58022
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the maxpagels ShortCode WordPress plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages. When exploited, these scripts execute in victims' browsers, potentially stealing session cookies or performing actions on their behalf. All WordPress sites using ShortCode plugin versions up to 0.8.1 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- maxpagels ShortCode 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 session cookies, take over WordPress sites, deface websites, or install backdoors for persistent access.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript to steal user session cookies, redirect visitors to phishing sites, or display unwanted advertisements.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts would be neutralized before reaching users' browsers.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires the attacker to have some level of access to inject malicious content, but detailed exploit techniques are not publicly documented.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 0.8.1
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'ShortCode' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update is available. 5. If no update appears, deactivate and delete the plugin, then install the latest version from WordPress repository.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable ShortCode Plugin
WordPressTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate shortcode
Implement Content Security Policy
allAdd CSP headers to restrict script execution sources
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 ShortCode plugin completely and find alternative functionality
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for ShortCode version. If version is 0.8.1 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get shortcode --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After update, verify ShortCode plugin version is higher than 0.8.1 in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to WordPress admin-ajax.php or admin-post.php containing script tags
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by plugin modification requests
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing malicious JavaScript payloads in parameters
- Unexpected outbound connections to suspicious domains after page loads
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("shortcode" OR "admin-ajax") AND ("<script>" OR "javascript:" OR "onerror=" OR "onload=")