CVE-2025-22513 in Simple Locator Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/27/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in NotFound Simple Locator allows Reflected XSS. This issue affects Simple Locator: from n/a through 2.0.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2025
This vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that exploits improper input sanitization during web page generation processes. The issue manifests as a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability within the NotFound Simple Locator plugin, specifically affecting versions ranging from an unspecified minimum to version 2.0.4. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to adequately neutralize user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content, creating an attack vector that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary script code into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when the plugin processes user input through HTTP request parameters without proper validation or sanitization mechanisms. When malicious input is passed through these parameters and subsequently rendered in the web page output, the browser executes the injected script code as part of the page content. This reflected nature means that the malicious script is not stored on the server but is instead reflected back to the user through the server's response, making it particularly dangerous for targeted attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, a fundamental weakness in web application security that has been consistently identified as a critical threat vector.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web pages, steal sensitive user information, or redirect users to malicious websites. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, execute scripts that steal cookies, capture form data, or modify the page content to deceive users into revealing confidential information. The reflected nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly effective for phishing attacks and social engineering campaigns where attackers can deliver malicious payloads through email links or other means. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the attack tree under the ATT&CK framework, specifically relating to initial access and execution phases where adversaries establish footholds through web-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data flow. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user inputs using established security libraries and ensuring that all dynamic content is properly escaped before rendering in web pages. Implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) header can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by restricting script execution sources and preventing unauthorized code injection. Regular security updates and patches should be applied immediately upon availability, as the vulnerability affects a specific version range that indicates the issue has been identified and resolved in later releases. Additionally, comprehensive security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar input validation flaws across the entire application stack.