CVE-2025-62974
📋 TL;DR
This stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the CoSchedule Headline Analyzer 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. All WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- CoSchedule Headline Analyzer 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, potentially leading to account takeover of regular users or administrators.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts would be neutralized before reaching users, preventing execution in browsers.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires the ability to inject malicious payloads into the plugin's functionality. The exact attack vector isn't specified in the CVE description.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 1.3.7
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'CoSchedule Headline Analyzer'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update available, deactivate and delete the plugin, then install latest version from WordPress repository.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input Sanitization Filter
WordPressAdd custom input sanitization for all user inputs processed by the plugin
Add to theme's functions.php: add_filter('preprocess_headline_input', 'sanitize_text_field');
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Deactivate and remove the CoSchedule Headline Analyzer plugin immediately
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads targeting this plugin
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins. If CoSchedule Headline Analyzer version is 1.3.7 or lower, the site is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name='headline-analyzer' --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify plugin version is higher than 1.3.7 in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to plugin endpoints containing script tags or JavaScript code
- Multiple failed attempts to access plugin admin functions
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing malicious script payloads in parameters targeting plugin endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND (uri_path="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" OR uri_path CONTAINS "headline-analyzer") AND (request_body CONTAINS "<script>" OR request_body CONTAINS "javascript:")