CVE-2025-9488
📋 TL;DR
The Redux Framework WordPress plugin has a stored XSS vulnerability in all versions up to 4.5.8. Authenticated attackers with Contributor-level access or higher can inject malicious scripts via the 'data' parameter, which execute when users view compromised pages. This affects all WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of the Redux Framework plugin.
💻 Affected Systems
- Redux Framework 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 credentials, deface websites, redirect users to malicious sites, or install backdoors for persistent access.
Likely Case
Attackers with contributor access inject malicious scripts to steal user session cookies or display unwanted content on vulnerable pages.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output escaping, the vulnerability is prevented, and only sanitized content is displayed to users.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access (Contributor role or higher). The vulnerability is in the shortcode functionality where insufficient sanitization allows script injection.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 4.5.9 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/redux-framework/#developers
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Redux Framework and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify the plugin version is 4.5.9 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Remove Contributor Role Access
allTemporarily restrict contributor-level users from accessing the site until patching is complete.
Disable Redux Framework Plugin
linuxDeactivate the plugin if it's not essential for site functionality.
wp plugin deactivate redux-framework
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution
- Use web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads in the 'data' parameter
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins → Redux Framework version. If version is 4.5.8 or lower, the site is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name=redux-framework --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify the plugin version shows 4.5.9 or higher in the WordPress plugins list.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to WordPress admin-ajax.php with 'data' parameter containing script tags
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful contributor-level login
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing malicious script payloads in URL parameters or POST data
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("redux" OR "data parameter") AND ("script" OR "javascript" OR "onload" OR "onerror")🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/redux-framework/tags/4.5.7/redux-core/inc/extensions/shortcodes/class-redux-shortcodes.php#L205
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=3402803%40redux-framework&new=3402803%40redux-framework&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=#file22
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/redux-framework/#developers
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/cabf776d-8749-45a8-94c1-7d1eef93a183?source=cve
