CVE-2025-4589 in Bon Toolkit Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/15/2025
The Bon Toolkit plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's 'bt-map' shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 1.3.2 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 • 05/15/2025
The Bon Toolkit plugin for WordPress presents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-4589, affecting all versions through 1.3.2. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's 'bt-map' shortcode implementation and represents a significant security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress installations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms that fail to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied attributes before processing them within the shortcode functionality. Security researchers have identified this issue as a direct consequence of insufficient data validation practices that allow malicious inputs to persist within the system's database. The flaw specifically impacts the plugin's handling of user-provided parameters within the bt-map shortcode, creating an environment where attacker-controlled content can be stored and subsequently executed without proper security controls.
Attackers with contributor-level privileges or higher can exploit this vulnerability to inject malicious scripts that will execute whenever legitimate users access pages containing the compromised shortcode. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious payloads are permanently embedded within the system's database rather than requiring continuous exploitation attempts. This persistent threat allows attackers to compromise multiple users over time without needing repeated access to the system. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. The attack vector specifically targets the shortcode processing mechanism where user inputs are not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages, creating a direct pathway for malicious code injection.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-4589 is substantial as it provides attackers with a persistent means of compromising WordPress installations through legitimate administrative functions. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows for unauthorized access to user sessions and potentially full system compromise, as the injected scripts can execute in the context of authenticated users. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which classifies cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that require proper input validation and output encoding. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires only contributor-level access, which many WordPress installations grant to trusted users or content creators, making the exploitation relatively accessible. Organizations using this plugin face significant risk of data breaches, unauthorized content modification, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest plugin version where available, implementing strict input validation for all shortcode parameters, and monitoring for suspicious shortcode usage. The recommended approach involves applying the vendor's security patch as soon as it becomes available, while also implementing additional defensive measures such as content security policies and regular security audits. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious shortcode parameter patterns, and establish monitoring procedures to identify unauthorized shortcode modifications. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output escaping in web applications, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and various secure coding standards. The incident highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of plugins and themes before deployment, particularly in environments where multiple user roles exist with varying privilege levels.