CVE-2025-47604 in Inline Related Posts Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/07/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Data443 Risk Migitation, Inc. Inline Related Posts allows Stored XSS. This issue affects Inline Related Posts: from n/a through 3.8.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2025-47604 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Inline Related Posts plugin developed by Data443 Risk Migitation, Inc. This stored cross-site scripting vulnerability arises from improper input sanitization during web page generation processes, creating a persistent security risk that can affect users across multiple sessions. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the plugin ranging from the initial release through version 3.8.0, indicating a long-standing issue that has remained unaddressed in the software lifecycle. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that malicious payloads can be permanently injected into the plugin's data storage and subsequently executed whenever affected pages are rendered to unsuspecting users.
The technical flaw manifests when user-supplied input containing malicious script code is not properly sanitized or escaped before being stored and subsequently displayed on web pages. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that persists in the plugin's database or configuration files. When legitimate users access pages that display the affected content, their browsers execute the stored malicious scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic stored XSS implementation that leverages web application input handling weaknesses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with persistent access to user sessions and potentially system resources. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information from authenticated users who view the affected content. The stored nature means that the malicious code remains active even after the initial injection, allowing attackers to maintain access over extended periods without requiring repeated exploitation attempts. This vulnerability particularly affects WordPress environments where the Inline Related Posts plugin is installed, creating a vector for attackers to compromise entire user bases through a single persistent injection point.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin versions to address the input sanitization deficiencies. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious code from being stored or executed within the application context. Network-based security controls such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers, though these should not replace proper code-level fixes. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers the use of malicious content in web applications, and T1071.001 for the use of application layer protocols. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar issues in other plugin components, with particular attention to how user-generated content is processed and stored within the application's database systems.