CVE-2025-30593 in Include URL Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/24/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in samsk Include URL allows Stored XSS. This issue affects Include URL: from n/a through 0.3.5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw classified as CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation in the samsk Include URL plugin. The issue manifests as a stored XSS vulnerability that occurs when user-supplied input containing malicious script code is processed and stored within the application's database or storage mechanisms. When subsequent web page requests are generated, this malicious content is executed in the context of other users' browsers, creating a persistent threat vector that can affect multiple victims over time. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the Include URL plugin ranging from an unspecified initial version through 0.3.5, indicating that all versions within this range are susceptible to exploitation.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs during the web page generation process where input validation and sanitization mechanisms fail to properly neutralize potentially dangerous characters and script sequences. Attackers can craft malicious payloads containing javascript code or other malicious scripts that are then stored in the application's data stores. These stored scripts become active when legitimate users view pages that render this content, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code in victims' browsers with the privileges of those users. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists even after the initial injection point, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users without requiring repeated exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious websites. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the vulnerability affects a plugin that likely handles user-generated content or external URL inclusion, making it accessible through various user interaction points. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious links or files, and can be leveraged for privilege escalation and lateral movement within compromised environments. The persistence of stored XSS makes it particularly effective for long-term reconnaissance and data collection operations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data flow. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of the Include URL plugin if available, or implementing proper sanitization of all user input before storage. Organizations should deploy Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities, implement proper input validation using allowlists rather than blocklists, and ensure that all user-supplied content is properly encoded before rendering in web pages. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack, as this represents a common class of vulnerability that affects many web applications. The remediation process should also include monitoring for any signs of exploitation attempts and implementing proper logging mechanisms to track user input that might contain malicious payloads.