CVE-2025-23451 in Awesome Twitter Feeds Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/03/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in NotFound Awesome Twitter Feeds allows Reflected XSS. This issue affects Awesome Twitter Feeds: from n/a through 1.0.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2025
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the NotFound Awesome Twitter Feeds plugin, specifically in the way it processes and generates web pages from user input. The flaw represents a classic reflected cross-site scripting attack vector where malicious scripts can be injected through improperly sanitized input parameters. The vulnerability affects all versions of the plugin from the initial release through version 1.0, indicating a fundamental security flaw that was present throughout the plugin's development lifecycle. The issue occurs during the web page generation process when the plugin fails to properly neutralize or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic HTML content. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to apply proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. When user input is received through HTTP parameters or other web interface elements, the plugin directly incorporates this data into HTML responses without adequate sanitization. This creates an environment where an attacker can craft malicious payloads that, when executed, can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of victims. The reflected nature of this XSS means that the malicious script must be injected into a page that immediately reflects the input back to the user, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that accept user input through URLs or form submissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable more sophisticated attack vectors. An attacker could leverage this flaw to establish persistent access through session hijacking, create backdoor access points, or harvest sensitive information from authenticated users. The vulnerability affects the plugin's web interface where Twitter feed data is displayed, potentially allowing attackers to compromise the entire user session or access restricted areas of the website where the plugin is integrated. This type of vulnerability particularly impacts WordPress environments where the plugin is installed, as it can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions or user data through the reflected XSS attack. The vulnerability's presence across all versions indicates a critical design flaw that was not addressed during the plugin's development, leaving users exposed to potential exploitation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the plugin's codebase. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all user inputs using established encoding functions such as htmlspecialchars() or similar mechanisms that prevent the execution of malicious scripts. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed. The plugin developers should also consider implementing proper parameter validation and ensuring that all dynamic content generation includes appropriate escaping mechanisms. Organizations using this plugin should immediately update to the latest version if available, or implement temporary workarounds such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious input patterns. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a common attack pattern categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection attacks, making it a significant concern for web application security and user data protection.