CVE-2025-8062 in WS Theme Addons
Summary
by MITRE • 08/23/2025
The WS Theme Addons plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's ws_weather shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 2.0.0 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes. 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.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2025
The WS Theme Addons plugin for WordPress presents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects all versions up to and including 2.0.0. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's ws_weather shortcode implementation and represents a significant security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress installations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms that fail to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied attributes before processing them within the plugin's shortcode functionality.
The technical flaw manifests when authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher exploit the insufficient validation controls to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's shortcode parameters. These scripts become permanently stored within the WordPress database and execute whenever any user accesses pages containing the compromised shortcode. The vulnerability operates through a classic stored XSS attack vector where malicious payloads are injected during content creation and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to victim systems through the compromised WordPress installation. Contributors and above can leverage this weakness to inject malicious JavaScript that could steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect them to malicious websites. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that the attack remains active until the malicious content is removed from the database, potentially affecting numerous users over extended periods. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers phishing with malicious attachments and payloads, as attackers can use this weakness to deliver malicious scripts to unsuspecting users.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the sanitization and escaping deficiencies. System administrators must implement strict input validation measures and ensure proper output escaping for all user-supplied content within shortcode parameters. Additionally, privilege escalation controls should be reviewed to limit the ability of low-level users to inject potentially harmful content. Regular security audits and monitoring of WordPress installations for unauthorized modifications remain essential defensive measures. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and web application firewalls to provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future.