CVE-2025-9111 in AI ChatBot Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2025
The AI ChatBot for WordPress WordPress plugin before 7.1.0 does not sanitise and escape some of its settings, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed (for example in multisite setup).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-9111 affects the AI ChatBot for WordPress plugin version prior to 7.1.0, presenting a significant security risk through stored cross-site scripting exploits. This flaw specifically targets the plugin's handling of user settings within WordPress environments, particularly impacting high-privilege users such as administrators who possess the capability to modify plugin configurations. The vulnerability emerges from insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-provided input data within the plugin's administrative interfaces, creating an attack vector that persists across multiple user sessions and page loads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate and sanitize input parameters before storing them in the WordPress database. When administrators or other high-privilege users configure the AI ChatBot plugin settings, the malicious code submitted through these interfaces is stored without adequate filtering mechanisms. This stored data is then subsequently rendered in the plugin's administrative screens or frontend interfaces without proper HTML escaping, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in multisite WordPress installations where the unfiltered_html capability may be restricted for security reasons, yet the flaw still permits exploitation through the plugin's settings management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers with administrative privileges to potentially escalate their access within the WordPress environment. Once exploited, the stored XSS attack could allow malicious actors to steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform unauthorized actions within the plugin's administrative interface. The persistence of the vulnerability means that even if the initial injection occurs during a single administrative session, the malicious code remains active and executable for all users who view the affected plugin screens. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in shared hosting environments or multi-user WordPress installations where multiple administrators may access the same plugin interfaces.
Security mitigations for CVE-2025-9111 primarily involve upgrading to the patched version 7.1.0 of the AI ChatBot for WordPress plugin, which implements proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including regular security audits of installed plugins, monitoring for unauthorized administrative changes, and ensuring that WordPress core, themes, and plugins remain up-to-date with the latest security patches. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a variant of the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 related to credential access through malicious web content. Administrators should also consider implementing content security policies and regular security scanning procedures to detect similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or custom code implementations.