CVE-2025-46261 in Seriously Simple Podcasting Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/24/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Craig Hewitt Seriously Simple Podcasting allows Stored XSS. This issue affects Seriously Simple Podcasting: from n/a through 3.9.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-46261 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness within the Seriously Simple Podcasting plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions ranging from an unspecified starting point through version 3.9.0. This flaw resides in the improper neutralization of input during web page generation, creating a persistent stored XSS attack vector that can compromise user sessions and execute malicious code within the context of affected websites. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to neutralize input data, which directly enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or encoded before being stored and subsequently rendered in web pages. In the context of the Seriously Simple Podcasting plugin, this typically manifests when podcast episode data, metadata, or other user-contributed content contains malicious script code that gets stored in the database and later executed when other users view the affected pages. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that once an attacker successfully injects malicious code, it persists and affects all users who access the compromised content without requiring repeated exploitation attempts. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for 'Modify Existing Service' and T1566 for 'Phishing' as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access and deliver malicious payloads.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-46261 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to user sessions, credential theft, and the ability to manipulate website content. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that redirect users to phishing sites, steal cookies, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability affects WordPress sites using the Seriously Simple Podcasting plugin, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of WordPress and the plugin's functionality. Organizations running affected versions face risks including data breaches, website defacement, and potential compromise of user accounts, especially when the plugin is used by multiple administrators or contributors who may inadvertently introduce malicious content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-46261 should prioritize immediate patching of the plugin to the latest available version where the vulnerability has been addressed. System administrators should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, ensuring that all user-supplied content is sanitized before storage and properly encoded before rendering. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection layers against XSS attacks by restricting script execution. Regular security audits and monitoring of plugin updates are essential for maintaining defense-in-depth posture, while user education regarding the risks of submitting untrusted content can help reduce successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's characteristics make it detectable through network traffic analysis and anomalous script execution patterns.