CVE-2025-4685 in Gutentor Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/21/2025
The Gutentor – Gutenberg Blocks – Page Builder for Gutenberg Editor plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the HTML data attributes of multiple widgets, in all versions up to, and including, 3.4.8 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. 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 • 07/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-4685 affects the Gutentor plugin for WordPress, a popular page builder tool that extends the Gutenberg editor functionality. This plugin enables users to create complex layouts using various widgets and blocks, making it an integral part of many WordPress websites. The vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of HTML data attributes across multiple widgets, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by attackers with relatively low privileges. The affected versions range from the initial release through version 3.4.8, indicating a significant window of exposure for affected installations.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. When users with Contributor-level access or higher create or modify content using Gutentor widgets, the plugin fails to properly validate or escape HTML data attributes that are stored in the database. This inadequate sanitization allows malicious scripts to be embedded directly into the widget configurations, which are then stored persistently within the WordPress database. The vulnerability specifically targets the HTML data attributes that are used to configure widget behavior and appearance, making these attributes a vector for cross-site scripting attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for WordPress site administrators and users who rely on the Gutentor plugin for content creation. Authenticated attackers with Contributor privileges can inject malicious scripts that will execute whenever any user accesses pages containing the compromised widgets. This creates a persistent threat where the malicious code can affect visitors, editors, and administrators who view affected pages, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the injected scripts remain active until manually removed from the database, creating an ongoing risk that can be exploited repeatedly.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and represents a classic case of insufficient input validation combined with inadequate output escaping. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability enables the use of techniques such as T1566.001 (Phishing with Social Engineering) and T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) by allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on victim systems. The low privilege requirement for exploitation makes this particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by users who should normally have limited capabilities within the WordPress environment, potentially leading to privilege escalation or further compromise of the site.
Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of the Gutentor plugin where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and output escaping. Administrators should also implement additional monitoring of widget configurations and user activities within the WordPress admin area. Regular security audits of plugin installations and database content can help detect unauthorized modifications. The recommended mitigations include implementing proper content security policies, restricting user privileges where possible, and maintaining up-to-date security practices across all WordPress installations. Additionally, regular backups should be maintained to ensure quick recovery from any potential exploitation attempts that may occur.