CVE-2025-59552
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Save as PDF WordPress plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages. When users view pages containing the malicious content, the scripts execute in their browsers, potentially stealing credentials or performing unauthorized actions. WordPress sites using Save as PDF plugin versions up to 4.5.2 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Save as PDF by Pdfcrowd 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 redirect users to malicious sites, potentially leading to complete site compromise and data theft.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript that steals user session cookies or credentials when users visit affected pages, leading to account takeover and unauthorized access.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts would be neutralized before reaching users, preventing execution while maintaining functionality.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires the ability to inject malicious content into pages processed by the plugin, typically requiring some level of access to content creation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version 4.5.3 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Save as PDF by Pdfcrowd'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download latest version from WordPress repository and replace plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the Save as PDF plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate save-as-pdf-by-pdfcrowd
Content Security Policy
allImplement strict CSP headers to prevent script execution from untrusted sources
Add 'Content-Security-Policy: default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'' to web server configuration
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads
- Restrict plugin usage to trusted administrators only and monitor for suspicious content
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for Save as PDF version. If version is 4.5.2 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get save-as-pdf-by-pdfcrowd --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify plugin version shows 4.5.3 or later in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to plugin endpoints
- Suspicious JavaScript in content fields
- Multiple failed XSS attempts in web server logs
Network Indicators:
- Malicious script tags in HTTP requests to plugin endpoints
- Unexpected external script loads from plugin pages
SIEM Query:
source="web_server" AND ("save-as-pdf" OR "pdfcrowd") AND ("script" OR "javascript" OR "onload" OR "onerror")