CVE-2025-31733 in WP Sitemap Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/01/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Boot Div WP Sitemap allows Stored XSS. This issue affects WP Sitemap: from n/a through 1.0.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw classified as CWE-79 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which specifically targets the improper neutralization of input during web page generation within the Boot Div WP Sitemap plugin. The issue manifests as a stored XSS vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages that are then executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability affects all versions of the WP Sitemap plugin from the initial release through version 1.0.0, indicating that the flaw has been present since the plugin's inception and has not been addressed in the specified version range.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered in web page content. When an attacker submits malicious input through the plugin's interface or API endpoints, the system stores this input without adequate validation or encoding, creating a persistent vector for XSS attacks. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious script is not limited to a single request but remains active and executable whenever the affected page is accessed by other users, making it particularly dangerous for content management systems where multiple users interact with shared data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for 'Modify System Image' and T1059.001 for 'Command and Scripting Interpreter'. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, deface websites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The stored nature of the XSS allows for long-term persistence and can be combined with other attack vectors to escalate privileges or access sensitive data. In a WordPress environment, this could enable attackers to gain administrative control over sites using the vulnerable plugin, potentially compromising entire networks of interconnected sites.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate input validation and output encoding practices that align with OWASP XSS Prevention Cheat Sheet recommendations. The plugin developers must implement strict sanitization of all user inputs, particularly those that are rendered in HTML contexts, and ensure proper escaping of output through functions like htmlspecialchars() or equivalent encoding mechanisms. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting script execution sources. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions, while users should be advised to update to patched versions immediately upon release. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.