CVE-2025-49068 in Ocean Extra Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/06/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in OceanWP Ocean Extra allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Ocean Extra: from n/a through 2.4.8.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the OceanWP Ocean Extra plugin that enables stored XSS attacks. The weakness occurs during the web page generation process where input validation and sanitization mechanisms fail to properly neutralize malicious user data before it is rendered in web pages. This allows attackers to inject persistent malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view affected pages. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of Ocean Extra from the initial release through version 2.4.8, indicating a prolonged exposure window where users remained vulnerable to this type of attack vector.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from inadequate input filtering and output encoding practices within the plugin's content handling mechanisms. When users submit data through forms or other interactive elements that are subsequently stored and displayed on web pages, the plugin fails to properly sanitize this data. This creates an environment where malicious scripts can be stored in the application's database and subsequently executed whenever legitimate users access pages containing the compromised content. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the trust relationship between the web application and its users, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect any user who views the compromised content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation. An attacker could craft malicious payloads that steal cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or modify page content to deceive users. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious code persists even after the initial injection, allowing attackers to maintain access and continue exploiting users over extended periods. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions to the latest stable release where the XSS vulnerability has been addressed. Administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application, ensuring all user-provided data is properly sanitized before storage or display. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. Additionally, implementing content security policies and using security headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and the Secure Coding guidelines that emphasize preventing injection flaws through proper data sanitization and context-aware output encoding.