CVE-2025-23947 in WP-Player Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/16/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in M.J WP-Player allows Stored XSS.This issue affects WP-Player: from n/a through 2.6.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the M.J WP-Player WordPress plugin that enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of affected websites. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization during web page generation processes, specifically when handling user-provided data that gets stored and subsequently rendered in web pages. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject persistent scripts that can compromise user sessions and execute unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. This stored cross-site scripting vulnerability specifically impacts versions of WP-Player from an unspecified initial version through 2.6.1, indicating a broad range of affected releases that could potentially be exploited across multiple deployment scenarios. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a fundamental weakness in web application security. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for WordPress site administrators as it allows attackers to establish persistent malicious code execution within the target environment, potentially leading to complete compromise of user accounts, data exfiltration, and unauthorized content manipulation. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once injected, the malicious scripts will persist and execute whenever affected pages are loaded, making detection and remediation more challenging compared to reflected XSS attacks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized administrative actions, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject additional malware into the compromised environment.
The operational impact extends beyond immediate user compromise to include potential damage to website reputation and compliance with security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of input validation and output encoding, which are fundamental security practices for preventing XSS attacks. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that WordPress plugins represent common targets for exploitation due to their widespread use and potential for privilege escalation. Organizations deploying WP-Player versions within the affected range face significant risk of unauthorized access and data breaches, especially in environments where multiple users interact with the plugin's functionality. The vulnerability's persistence means that even after initial exploitation, the malicious code continues to execute automatically, creating ongoing security exposure that can be difficult to monitor and control. Security teams must consider this vulnerability in relation to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically within the initial access and execution phases where adversaries establish persistent presence through web-based attacks. The affected plugin's functionality likely involves user interaction with media player features, making it particularly susceptible to exploitation through user input fields that are not properly sanitized.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as well as implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures. Administrators should conduct thorough security assessments of all plugin installations and review access controls to limit potential exploitation avenues. The implementation of web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues across the entire web application stack. Organizations should also consider maintaining detailed audit logs of plugin usage and user interactions to facilitate incident response and forensic analysis. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper security testing throughout the software development lifecycle and emphasizes the need for robust input sanitization practices that align with industry standards and best practices. Given the nature of the vulnerability, it is crucial that system administrators establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle XSS-related compromises and ensure that all affected systems are promptly remediated to prevent further exploitation.