CVE-2025-57989
BaseFortify
Publication date: 2025-09-22
Last updated on: 2026-04-23
Assigner: Patchstack
Description
Description
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
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Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| brajesh_singh | wordpress_widgets_shortcode | * |
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?
CVE-2025-57989 is a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the WordPress Widgets Shortcode Plugin (versions up to 1.0.3). It allows attackers with at least contributor-level privileges to inject malicious scripts into web pages generated by the plugin. These scripts can execute when visitors access the affected website, potentially causing redirects, displaying unwanted advertisements, or executing other harmful HTML payloads. The vulnerability is classified under OWASP Top 10 category A3: Injection. [1]
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
This vulnerability can impact you by allowing attackers to execute malicious scripts on your website, which can lead to unauthorized redirects, display of unwanted content or advertisements, and potential compromise of user data. It can degrade user trust and website integrity. Since the plugin is abandoned and no official fix is available, the risk remains unless mitigated by virtual patching or removing the plugin. [1]
How can this vulnerability be detected on my network or system? Can you suggest some commands?
Detection of this vulnerability involves identifying if the WordPress Widgets Shortcode plugin version 1.0.3 or earlier is installed and active. Since the vulnerability requires contributor-level privileges to exploit and involves stored XSS, scanning for suspicious input fields or payloads in the plugin's widget outputs can help. However, no specific detection commands are provided. It is recommended to check the plugin version via WordPress CLI commands such as 'wp plugin list' to identify the plugin and its version. Additionally, monitoring web traffic for suspicious scripts or payloads injected via the plugin may help detect exploitation attempts. [1]
What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?
Immediate mitigation steps include removing and replacing the vulnerable WordPress Widgets Shortcode plugin, as it is abandoned and no official patch is available. Applying a virtual patch (vPatch) from Patchstack can provide automatic protection even without an official update. Simply deactivating the plugin is not sufficient to eliminate the risk. Therefore, users should either apply the virtual patch or remove the plugin entirely to mitigate the vulnerability. [1]