CVE-2025-8103 in RSS Feed Fetcher Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/26/2025
The WPeMatico RSS Feed Fetcher plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in all versions up to, and including, 2.8.7. This is due to missing nonce validation in the handle_feedback_submission() function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to deactivate the plugin via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2025
The WPeMatico RSS Feed Fetcher plugin presents a critical cross-site request forgery vulnerability that affects all versions up to and including 2.8.7. This vulnerability resides within the handle_feedback_submission() function where proper nonce validation is completely absent. The flaw represents a fundamental security oversight that allows unauthenticated attackers to manipulate the plugin's operational state without requiring any authentication credentials or privileged access. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper request verification mechanisms that would normally prevent unauthorized modifications to plugin settings and functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a clear violation of security best practices and aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery flaws. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that target the plugin's feedback submission handler, enabling them to deactivate the plugin through a forged request. This particular vulnerability operates under the principle that attackers can manipulate the target system by tricking administrators into performing actions, such as clicking on malicious links or visiting compromised websites. The attack vector relies heavily on social engineering techniques where administrators are lured into executing unintended actions that appear legitimate.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple plugin deactivation, as it provides attackers with a foothold for further exploitation of the WordPress environment. When an administrator performs actions that trigger the forged request, the plugin's functionality is compromised, potentially disrupting content syndication workflows and RSS feed processing capabilities. This vulnerability can significantly impact content management operations and may serve as a stepping stone for more advanced attacks targeting the broader WordPress ecosystem. The lack of nonce validation creates an environment where attackers can perform unauthorized modifications to plugin settings, potentially leading to service disruption or data integrity issues.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the affected plugin versions, implementing proper nonce validation in all administrative functions, and establishing comprehensive monitoring for suspicious administrative activities. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security layers such as web application firewalls and strict access controls for administrative functions. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation and authentication mechanisms in WordPress plugins, particularly those handling administrative operations. Security practitioners should reference ATT&CK technique T1566.002 for credential harvesting and related techniques that demonstrate how CSRF vulnerabilities can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and adherence to secure coding practices are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future.