CVE-2025-5259 in Minimal Share Buttons Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/30/2025
The Minimal Share Buttons plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the ‘align’ parameter in all versions up to, and including, 1.7.3 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 • 05/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-5259 affects the Minimal Share Buttons plugin for WordPress, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of web applications. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the plugin's codebase, specifically targeting the 'align' parameter that controls the alignment of social sharing buttons. The vulnerability exists across all versions of the plugin up to and including version 1.7.3, making it a widespread concern for WordPress site administrators who have not yet updated their installations. The flaw allows for stored cross-site scripting attacks, where malicious payloads can be permanently embedded within the plugin's configuration parameters, creating persistent security risks that persist across user sessions and page visits.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input sanitization, which falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. The plugin fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied input for the 'align' parameter before storing it in the database, and subsequently rendering it on web pages. This creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious JavaScript code that executes whenever the affected pages are loaded. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only Contributor-level access or higher, making it accessible to users who should normally have restricted capabilities within the WordPress admin environment. This access level allows attackers to modify plugin settings and inject malicious code without requiring administrator privileges, significantly expanding the attack surface.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risks for WordPress sites that rely on the Minimal Share Buttons plugin. The stored nature of the XSS attack means that malicious scripts can persist indefinitely until manually removed, potentially affecting all users who view pages containing the injected content. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to steal user session cookies, redirect visitors to malicious websites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The impact extends beyond simple script injection, as the vulnerability enables more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft, data exfiltration, and potential privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. The fact that this affects pages that execute when users access them creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for extended periods without detection.
Organizations and site administrators should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability, beginning with updating to the latest version of the Minimal Share Buttons plugin where the issue has been resolved. The patch typically involves implementing proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms for all user-supplied parameters, including the 'align' parameter. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring user activities within the WordPress admin environment can help detect unauthorized modifications to plugin settings. Security measures should include regular vulnerability scanning of WordPress installations, maintaining updated security plugins, and implementing content security policies to mitigate the impact of potential XSS attacks. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and following the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users have only the minimum access necessary to perform their required functions within the WordPress environment. This case study serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and output escaping in preventing cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, which are frequently exploited in targeted attacks against web applications.