CVE-2025-28940 in Back to Top Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/12/2025
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in arkapravamajumder Back To Top allows Cross Site Request Forgery. This issue affects Back To Top: from n/a through 2.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2025
This cross-site request forgery vulnerability exists within the arkapravamajumder Back To Top WordPress plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from an unspecified initial version through 2.0. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper anti-CSRF mechanisms when processing user requests, creating a significant security risk for WordPress installations that utilize this plugin. The flaw allows attackers to execute unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users, potentially leading to privilege escalation or data manipulation within the affected WordPress environment.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability demonstrates a critical oversight in the plugin's request validation process. Without proper token verification or origin checking mechanisms, malicious actors can craft forged requests that appear legitimate to the WordPress application. This weakness aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities in web applications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the application layer, targeting the core authentication and authorization mechanisms of the WordPress platform itself.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification. An attacker could potentially leverage this CSRF flaw to perform administrative actions such as changing user passwords, modifying content, or even installing malicious plugins within the WordPress environment. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to operate within the context of authenticated users, making detection more difficult while potentially providing persistent access to compromised systems. The attack vector typically involves tricking users into clicking malicious links or visiting compromised websites while logged into their WordPress admin panels, a technique commonly catalogued in the ATT&CK framework under T1566 for initial access through spearphishing.
Mitigation strategies for this CSRF vulnerability should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the identified security flaw. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as enabling WordPress's built-in nonce verification mechanisms and configuring proper Content Security Policies to limit cross-origin requests. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious request patterns can provide additional defense layers. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security audits of all installed plugins and themes to identify similar vulnerabilities, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security implementation gaps within the WordPress ecosystem. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive administrative functions.