CVE-2025-58655
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the WordPress Category Featured Images plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages. When users view affected pages, the scripts execute in their browsers, potentially stealing credentials or performing unauthorized actions. All WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Category Featured Images 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 visitors to malicious sites.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript to steal user session cookies or credentials, potentially gaining administrative access to the WordPress site.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts would be neutralized before reaching users' browsers.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires the ability to inject malicious input into the plugin's functionality, typically through authenticated access.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 1.1.8
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Category Featured Images'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download latest version from WordPress repository and replace plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable plugin temporarily
allDeactivate the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate category-featured-images
Implement Content Security Policy
allAdd CSP headers to restrict script execution
Add to .htaccess: Header set Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'"
Or use WordPress CSP plugin
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the Category Featured Images plugin completely
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for 'Category Featured Images' versionCheck Version:
wp plugin get category-featured-images --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is greater than 1.1.8 in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to plugin endpoints
- Suspicious JavaScript in category or image-related fields
Network Indicators:
- Malicious script tags in HTTP requests to WordPress admin
- Suspicious payloads containing <script> tags
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("category-featured-images" OR "wp-admin/admin-ajax.php") AND ("<script>" OR "javascript:" OR "onerror=" OR "onload=")