CVE-2025-14903 in Simple Crypto Shortcodes Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/24/2026
The Simple Crypto Shortcodes plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in versions up to, and including, 1.0.2. This is due to missing nonce validation on the scs_backend function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to update plugin settings via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2026
The Simple Crypto Shortcodes plugin for WordPress presents a critical cross-site request forgery vulnerability that affects all versions up to and including 102. This vulnerability stems from the absence of proper nonce validation within the scs_backend function, which serves as the primary interface for backend plugin operations. The flaw creates a significant security gap that allows unauthenticated attackers to manipulate plugin configurations through carefully crafted malicious requests. The vulnerability operates under the principle that administrators may be tricked into executing unintended actions when they visit compromised websites or click on malicious links, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently browse untrusted sites.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental weakness in WordPress plugin security practices by failing to validate the authenticity of requests made to the backend processing function. A nonce, which is a unique, time-sensitive token used to verify that a request originated from a legitimate source, is completely absent from the scs_backend function. This absence means that any attacker who can craft a properly formatted request to the plugin's backend endpoint can modify plugin settings without requiring authentication or administrative privileges. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery issues, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 related to data from information repositories, as it allows unauthorized modification of plugin configurations that may contain sensitive cryptographic parameters or settings.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress environment. An attacker could modify cryptographic settings, alter security parameters, or manipulate the plugin's behavior to redirect traffic or enable unauthorized access to protected content. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it does not require authentication, meaning that even a basic web browser can be used to exploit the flaw. This makes it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise and increases the potential attack surface significantly. The vulnerability's exploitation requires social engineering to trick administrators into performing actions, but once successful, it can lead to complete compromise of the plugin's functionality and potentially the underlying WordPress installation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the affected plugin versions, as well as implementing additional defensive measures to protect against similar issues. Site administrators should ensure they are running the latest version of the Simple Crypto Shortcodes plugin, which should include proper nonce validation. Additionally, implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. The WordPress security team recommends that all users immediately update to version 1.0.3 or later, which contains the necessary nonce validation fixes. Organizations should also consider implementing role-based access controls and monitoring for unauthorized configuration changes to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of installed plugins and themes should be conducted to identify other potential vulnerabilities that may exist in the WordPress ecosystem, as this particular flaw demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms in plugin development.