CVE-2025-2165 in SH Email Alert Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/26/2025
The SH Email Alert plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the 'mid' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 1.0 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2025
The SH Email Alert plugin for WordPress presents a critical security vulnerability classified as reflected cross-site scripting in versions up to and including 1.0. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, specifically affecting the 'mid' parameter. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of a victim's browser when they interact with crafted links containing the vulnerable parameter. The vulnerability affects unauthenticated attackers who can exploit this weakness without requiring any prior access credentials or privileged accounts. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious script is reflected off the web server rather than being stored on the server, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that process user input directly in their responses. The vulnerability's impact extends to any user who clicks on a malicious link, regardless of their authentication status, making it a significant threat to WordPress site security and user privacy.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing a specially crafted 'mid' parameter value that includes malicious script code. When an unsuspecting user clicks this link and the web application processes the parameter without proper sanitization, the malicious script gets executed in the user's browser within the context of the vulnerable WordPress site. This creates a persistent threat where user sessions could be hijacked, sensitive data could be exfiltrated, or the user could be redirected to malicious sites. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically covering reflected cross-site scripting scenarios. The attack vector operates under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1566 for initial access through spearphishing, where users are tricked into clicking malicious links that exploit the XSS vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in their browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially allowing attackers to perform session hijacking attacks, steal cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even escalate privileges if the victim has administrative access to the WordPress site. The vulnerability affects all users of the affected plugin version, making it a widespread security concern for WordPress administrators who have not yet updated to a patched version. The reflected nature of the attack means that the malicious payload does not need to be stored on the server, making detection more difficult and allowing for rapid deployment of attacks without leaving persistent traces. Organizations running WordPress sites with this plugin version face increased risk of data breaches, user account compromises, and potential reputational damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it affects unauthenticated users, meaning that attackers can exploit it without requiring any authentication credentials or privileged access to the target system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate plugin updates to versions that address the reflected XSS issue through proper input sanitization and output escaping. WordPress administrators should implement Content Security Policy headers to add an additional layer of protection against script execution, though this does not replace the need for proper input validation. The vulnerability can be addressed through proper parameter validation that ensures all input is sanitized before being processed or displayed, implementing output encoding for all dynamic content, and using WordPress's built-in security functions for handling user input. Regular security audits of installed plugins should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities, with particular attention to plugins that handle user input or generate dynamic content. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious XSS payloads can provide temporary protection while permanent fixes are deployed. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping WordPress plugins updated and following secure coding practices that prevent injection vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to help identify and avoid suspicious links that may contain malicious payloads designed to exploit such vulnerabilities.