CVE-2025-4586 in IRM Newsroom Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/13/2025
The IRM Newsroom plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's 'irmcalendarview' shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 1.2.17 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-4586 affects the IRM Newsroom plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 1.2.17. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress installations using this particular plugin. The issue manifests through the plugin's 'irmcalendarview' shortcode functionality, which fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input parameters. Security researchers have classified this vulnerability as a stored cross-site scripting attack vector, making it particularly dangerous as the malicious code persists within the application's database and executes automatically during normal user interactions. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by its accessibility to authenticated attackers who possess contributor-level privileges or higher, which represents a significant threat vector since such accounts are commonly used by content creators, editors, and other trusted users within WordPress environments.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode implementation. When administrators or authorized users create content using the 'irmcalendarview' shortcode, they can inject malicious JavaScript code through attributes that are not properly sanitized before being stored in the database. This failure to implement proper output escaping creates a persistent XSS vulnerability where the malicious scripts are executed whenever any user accesses pages containing the compromised shortcode. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the WordPress plugin architecture and its handling of user-generated content through shortcode mechanisms. The flaw directly correlates to CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities as a result of insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This weakness allows attackers to bypass standard security measures that would normally prevent malicious code execution, as the code is stored within the application's legitimate content storage rather than being injected during runtime.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within WordPress environments. An attacker with contributor privileges could inject malicious scripts that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even execute arbitrary commands on the affected server. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code remains active until manually removed from the database, potentially affecting all users who access pages containing the compromised shortcode. This vulnerability particularly threatens organizations that rely heavily on contributor-level accounts for content management, as these accounts often have elevated privileges and are frequently used to create and modify content. The attack vector demonstrates a clear pathway for privilege escalation, as the malicious scripts could be designed to exploit additional vulnerabilities or harvest sensitive information from authenticated users. The vulnerability's persistence makes it especially concerning for environments where content is frequently updated and where multiple contributors have access to the shortcode functionality.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from affected organizations to protect their WordPress installations. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to the latest version of the IRM Newsroom plugin where the vulnerability has been patched and properly sanitized input handling has been implemented. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including input validation at multiple layers, regular security audits of plugin functionality, and monitoring for unauthorized content modifications. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by detecting and blocking malicious script injection attempts, though these should be considered supplementary rather than primary defenses. Security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments of all WordPress installations to identify other plugins or themes that may exhibit similar vulnerabilities, particularly those that handle user input through shortcode or widget mechanisms. The vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to security best practices including the principle of least privilege, regular security updates, and comprehensive testing of third-party plugins before deployment in production environments. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and monitoring user activities for suspicious modifications that might indicate exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers could leverage the XSS vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads through compromised content, and T1059.001 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as the stored scripts could be designed to execute additional malicious commands on the compromised system.