CVE-2025-58638
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages generated by the Institutions Directory WordPress plugin. When users visit a specially crafted URL, the script executes in their browser, potentially stealing session cookies or performing actions on their behalf. All WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Institutions Directory 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 redirect users to malicious sites.
Likely Case
Attackers steal user session cookies or credentials through phishing links, leading to account compromise.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts are neutralized before reaching users.
🎯 Exploit Status
Reflected XSS typically requires user interaction (clicking a malicious link).
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.3.4 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Institutions Directory' and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify version is 1.3.4 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched.
wp plugin deactivate institutions-directory
Web Application Firewall (WAF)
allConfigure WAF to block XSS payloads targeting the plugin endpoints.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution.
- Use browser security features like HttpOnly cookies to limit cookie theft.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for Institutions Directory version ≤1.3.3.Check Version:
wp plugin get institutions-directory --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm plugin version is ≥1.3.4 in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual GET/POST requests with script tags or JavaScript in query parameters to plugin endpoints.
- Multiple failed XSS attempts in web server logs.
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing <script>, javascript:, or encoded XSS payloads targeting /wp-content/plugins/institutions-directory/ paths.
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND (uri_path="/wp-content/plugins/institutions-directory/" AND (query="*<script>*" OR query="*javascript:*"))