CVE-2025-14032 in Bold Timeline Lite Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2025
The Bold Timeline Lite plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the 'title' parameter in the 'bold_timeline_group' shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 1.2.7 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-14032 affects the Bold Timeline Lite WordPress plugin, specifically targeting versions through 1.2.7. This issue represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of web applications by allowing malicious actors to inject persistent malicious scripts into the plugin's functionality. The vulnerability manifests through the 'title' parameter within the 'bold_timeline_group' shortcode, which serves as an attack vector for executing unauthorized code execution within the context of affected websites.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. When the 'title' parameter is processed through the shortcode implementation, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into the webpage output. This insufficient sanitization creates an environment where malicious scripts can be stored within the database and subsequently executed whenever legitimate users access pages containing the compromised content. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where applications fail to properly validate or escape user-controllable data before incorporating it into dynamically generated content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides authenticated attackers with a persistent means of executing malicious code within the context of the affected WordPress installation. Attackers with Contributor-level access or higher can leverage this vulnerability to inject scripts that will execute whenever any user accesses pages containing the malicious content. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be used for various malicious activities including session hijacking, data exfiltration, or redirection to malicious websites. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed through the legitimate plugin functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses typical security controls that might otherwise prevent such attacks.
The security implications of CVE-2025-14032 align with several tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to persistence and privilege escalation. The vulnerability enables attackers to maintain long-term access through stored payloads that execute automatically when users view affected pages. This represents a form of credential theft and session manipulation that can be executed with minimal user interaction, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability also demonstrates how plugin-level weaknesses can create attack vectors that extend beyond individual plugin functionality into the broader WordPress ecosystem, potentially affecting other security controls and user sessions.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to the latest version of the Bold Timeline Lite plugin once available, implementing additional input validation measures, and monitoring for suspicious activity within the affected WordPress installation. Security teams should also consider implementing content security policies that limit script execution and regularly audit plugin installations for known vulnerabilities. The incident highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the critical need for proper input sanitization in all web applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from compromising system integrity and user security.