CVE-2025-6540 in web-cam Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/26/2025
The web-cam plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the ‘slug’ parameter in all versions up to, and including, 1.0 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 • 07/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-6540 affects the web-cam plugin for WordPress, representing a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that has been present in all versions up to and including 1.0. This issue stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's handling of the 'slug' parameter, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by authenticated attackers. The vulnerability specifically targets users with Contributor-level access or higher, making it particularly concerning as it allows malicious actors with relatively low privileges to compromise the entire WordPress installation through carefully crafted script injections.
The technical flaw manifests when the plugin fails to properly sanitize user input provided through the 'slug' parameter, which is then stored in the database without adequate escaping before being rendered in web pages. This creates a stored XSS condition where malicious scripts can be injected and persistently executed whenever any user accesses pages containing the compromised content. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and directly impacts the integrity of the WordPress content management system, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the victim's browser. This flaw aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as the failure to properly escape output, and represents a classic stored XSS vulnerability that can be exploited across multiple user sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. Authenticated attackers can leverage this vulnerability to inject scripts that can steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even modify content in ways that can compromise the entire website's integrity. The fact that this affects users with Contributor-level access or higher means that even users who should have limited permissions can potentially escalate their privileges and cause significant damage to the website's security posture. This vulnerability can be exploited to create backdoors, manipulate content, or establish persistent access to the WordPress installation, making it a serious concern for website administrators.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-6540 should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that properly sanitize and escape the 'slug' parameter input. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output escaping mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future, following security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the ATT&CK framework's web application exploitation techniques. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of defense. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues across all WordPress plugins and themes, ensuring that the entire application ecosystem remains secure against evolving threats. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output escaping in web applications, particularly in content management systems where user-generated content can be manipulated to compromise system integrity.