CVE-2025-23752 in CGD Arrange Terms Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/27/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in NotFound CGD Arrange Terms allows Reflected XSS. This issue affects CGD Arrange Terms: from n/a through 1.1.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-23752 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the NotFound CGD Arrange Terms plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from an unspecified starting point through 1.1.3. This reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability arises from inadequate input sanitization during web page generation processes, creating a significant security risk for affected systems. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive information and system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input parameters that are subsequently reflected back to users within the generated web pages. When the plugin processes incoming requests containing malicious script code, it fails to adequately sanitize or escape these inputs before incorporating them into the dynamic HTML output. This failure directly aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a result of insufficient input validation and output encoding. The reflected nature of this XSS means that the malicious payload is immediately reflected from the web application back to the user through the request, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no persistent storage of the malicious code within the application itself.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration from authenticated users. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, execute in the victim's browser context with the privileges of that user. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that rely on user input for dynamic content generation, and the specific nature of the CGD Arrange Terms plugin suggests it may be processing parameters from user requests that are then embedded into web page output without proper sanitization. The reflected XSS attack vector creates a direct pathway for attackers to exploit the vulnerability through social engineering tactics, such as sending malicious links via email or messaging platforms to unsuspecting users.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 1.1.4 or later, as this would address the underlying input sanitization issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious script injection, utilizing established security frameworks such as the OWASP Input Validation and Output Encoding guidelines. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of defense by restricting script execution within the browser context, though this should complement rather than replace proper input sanitization. Security teams should also conduct thorough code reviews focusing on parameter handling and output generation processes, particularly for any custom implementations that may be vulnerable to similar reflected XSS issues. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of clicking suspicious links and the importance of verifying website authenticity can help reduce successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for spearphishing with a link indicates that this attack vector specifically targets user behavior and requires awareness training as part of a comprehensive defense strategy. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests containing known XSS patterns, providing an additional protective barrier against exploitation attempts.