CVE-2025-5929
BaseFortify
Publication date: 2025-06-26
Last updated on: 2025-07-08
Assigner: Wordfence
Description
Description
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
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Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| zourbuth | the_countdown | to 2.0.1 (inc) |
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
| CWE ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CWE-79 | The product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users. |
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?
This vulnerability is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue in The Countdown WordPress plugin up to version 2.0.1. It occurs because the plugin does not properly sanitize or escape the 'clientId' parameter. Authenticated users with Contributor-level access or higher can inject malicious scripts into pages. These scripts then execute whenever any user views the infected page, potentially compromising user data or site integrity.
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
The vulnerability allows attackers with Contributor-level access to inject arbitrary scripts that execute in the context of other users visiting the affected pages. This can lead to theft of user credentials, session hijacking, defacement, or other malicious actions impacting site users and administrators. Since the attack is stored, the malicious code persists and affects all visitors to the infected pages.
How can this vulnerability be detected on my network or system? Can you suggest some commands?
Detection of this vulnerability involves identifying if the vulnerable Countdown plugin (version 2.0.1 or earlier) is installed and if the 'clientId' parameter is being exploited to inject scripts. Since the plugin exposes a REST API endpoint 'the-countdown/v1/get-datetime' with open GET access, monitoring requests to this endpoint and inspecting parameters like 'clientId' for suspicious script content can help detect exploitation attempts. Commands to detect the plugin and potential exploitation could include: 1) Checking installed plugins and their versions via WP-CLI: `wp plugin list | grep the-countdown` 2) Using curl or similar tools to test the REST API endpoint and observe responses: `curl -i https://yourwordpresssite.com/wp-json/the-countdown/v1/get-datetime` 3) Searching web server logs for requests containing suspicious payloads in 'clientId' parameters. 4) Using grep or similar to scan WordPress files for the presence of the vulnerable plugin files. However, no specific detection commands are provided in the resources. [2]
What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?
Immediate mitigation steps include: 1) Deactivating and uninstalling the vulnerable Countdown plugin (all versions up to and including 2.0.1) from your WordPress installation. 2) Since the plugin has been temporarily closed and removed from the WordPress plugin repository pending a security review, avoid reinstalling or updating from untrusted sources. 3) Restrict Contributor-level and above users from accessing or editing pages where the plugin is used until a secure version is released. 4) Monitor your site for any signs of stored cross-site scripting attacks and clean any injected scripts. 5) Keep WordPress core and all other plugins/themes updated to minimize attack surface. These steps align with the plugin's current unavailability and the nature of the vulnerability. [1]