CVE-2025-58655 in Category Featured Images Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/22/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Mat Category Featured Images category-featured-images allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Category Featured Images: from n/a through <= 1.1.8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that resides within the Mattia Roccoberton Category Featured Images plugin for WordPress systems. The issue manifests as a stored XSS vulnerability, meaning that malicious script code can be permanently stored on the server and subsequently executed whenever users access affected pages. This particular weakness allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that persist in the application's database, making the attack vector particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over extended periods. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions ranging from n/a through 1.1.8, indicating that all versions within this range are susceptible to exploitation. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which classifies improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a fundamental weakness in web application security. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability enables attackers to bypass typical client-side protections and execute malicious code in the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when user input containing malicious script code is processed and stored without proper sanitization or encoding during the generation of web pages. In the context of category featured images, this typically happens when administrators or users upload images with malicious payloads embedded in file names, metadata, or other input fields that are later rendered on web pages. The vulnerability exploits the lack of input validation and output encoding mechanisms that should normally prevent malicious script code from being executed when rendered in web browsers. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that leverage the stored XSS to perform actions such as stealing cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or injecting additional malicious content. This vulnerability specifically aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which involves social engineering through malicious content, and T1059.007 which covers scripting through command-line interpreters, as the malicious code can be executed through the browser's JavaScript engine.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it can enable attackers to completely compromise user accounts and potentially gain administrative access to affected WordPress installations. Once exploited, the stored XSS can serve as a persistent backdoor, allowing attackers to maintain access to the system over time without requiring repeated exploitation attempts. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for content management systems where administrators regularly upload media files and manage categories. The impact is amplified in environments where multiple users interact with the affected plugin, as each user who views pages containing the stored malicious content becomes a potential victim. Organizations may face significant reputational damage, data breaches, and regulatory compliance issues if this vulnerability is exploited successfully, particularly in environments where user privacy and data protection are critical concerns. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to the integrity of the entire WordPress ecosystem, as it could be leveraged to compromise other plugins or themes that depend on the same underlying infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the affected plugin to the latest version where the XSS issue has been resolved through proper input sanitization and output encoding. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that strip or encode potentially dangerous characters from all user-supplied content before storage, particularly in file names and metadata fields. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded and executed. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins and themes. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script payloads before they can be stored. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should be established to help administrators recognize potential social engineering attempts that might exploit this vulnerability. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that users uploading content have the minimum necessary permissions to reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation. Regular monitoring of plugin repositories and security bulletins should be maintained to ensure rapid response to similar vulnerabilities that may emerge in the future.