CVE-2025-22641 in FM Notification Bar Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/04/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Prem Tiwari FM Notification Bar allows Stored XSS. This issue affects FM Notification Bar: from n/a through 1.0.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2025
The CVE-2025-22641 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Prem Tiwari FM Notification Bar plugin, specifically targeting versions ranging from n/a through 1.0.2. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The issue manifests as a stored XSS vulnerability, meaning that malicious scripts can be permanently stored on the server and subsequently executed whenever users access affected pages. The vulnerability occurs during the web page generation process when input data is improperly neutralized, creating an opening for attackers to inject malicious code that persists across user sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's notification handling mechanism. When administrators or users input data into the notification bar functionality, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that are then stored in the database or configuration files. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious code becomes part of the legitimate website content, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users without requiring them to click on specific links or perform additional actions. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web page generation process where user-provided content is rendered back to users, creating a direct pathway for script execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to website owners and their visitors. Attackers can exploit this flaw to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious sites, or even deface the website with malicious content. The stored nature of the XSS attack means that the impact extends beyond a single incident, as the malicious code continues to execute for all users who view the affected pages. This vulnerability particularly affects WordPress environments where the FM Notification Bar plugin is installed, potentially compromising the entire website if attackers gain access to administrative functions through session hijacking or other exploitation techniques. The vulnerability's presence in versions up to 1.0.2 indicates that even relatively recent installations may be at risk, highlighting the importance of keeping plugins updated and monitoring for security patches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-22641 should focus on immediate patching of the affected plugin to the latest version that addresses the XSS vulnerability. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious code injection, following the principle of least privilege and proper sanitization of all user-provided content. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent script execution from unauthorized sources. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other plugins or custom code. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems that can detect and block suspicious input patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the need for developers to follow secure coding guidelines that prevent common web application flaws such as those categorized under the ATT&CK framework's T1203 (Exploitation for Credential Access) and T1566 (Phishing) techniques. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of clicking on suspicious links or providing personal information on compromised websites remains crucial for overall security posture.