CVE-2025-8143 in Soledad Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/16/2025
The Soledad theme for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the ‘pcsml_smartlists_h’ parameter in all versions up to, and including, 8.6.7 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 • 08/16/2025
The CVE-2025-8143 vulnerability affects the Soledad WordPress theme, representing a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that undermines web application security. This vulnerability specifically targets the 'pcsml_smartlists_h' parameter within the theme's functionality, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by authenticated attackers. The flaw exists in all versions up to and including 8.6.7, indicating a long-standing issue that has not been adequately addressed in the theme's codebase. The vulnerability's classification as stored XSS means that malicious scripts can be permanently injected into the application's database, making the attack vector particularly dangerous as it persists across user sessions and can affect multiple victims.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and insufficient output escaping mechanisms within the Soledad theme's code implementation. When the 'pcsml_smartlists_h' parameter is processed, the theme fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before storing it in the database. Additionally, the theme does not adequately escape output when rendering content, allowing malicious scripts to be executed in the context of the victim's browser. This dual failure in input validation and output encoding creates the perfect conditions for cross-site scripting attacks. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires only Contributor-level access or higher, making it accessible to users who already have some level of administrative privileges within WordPress.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates a persistent backdoor for attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially escalate their privileges within the WordPress environment. Authenticated attackers can inject malicious JavaScript code that executes whenever any user accesses a page containing the injected content, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised WordPress installation. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code remains active even after the initial injection, continuously affecting any user who encounters the compromised content. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where contributors and editors may inadvertently trigger the execution of malicious scripts.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the CWE-79 classification for cross-site scripting flaws, which emphasizes the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding. The ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 technique for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" aligns with the exploitation of this vulnerability, as attackers can leverage the stored JavaScript payload to execute malicious commands. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of the Soledad theme, implementing proper input validation at the application level, and conducting thorough security audits of all WordPress themes and plugins. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution, while regular monitoring of user activities and content modifications can help detect unauthorized injections. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for robust security practices in content management systems, particularly when dealing with user-contributed content that requires proper sanitization before storage.