CVE-2025-0897 is a medium severity vulnerability affecting the Modal Window – create popup modal window plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability allows for Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's 'iframeBox' shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 6.1.5. Due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes, authenticated attackers with contributor-level access and above can inject arbitrary web scripts. These scripts execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 6.4, indicating a medium severity level that necessitates immediate attention from organizations using the affected plugin. This risk to organizations includes the potential for unauthorized access and manipulation of user data, which could severely compromise the integrity of the affected systems.
As of now, there is no public exploit confirmed, and the vulnerability is not listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, the attack complexity is low and does not require user interaction, increasing the urgency for organizations to address this vulnerability as part of their routine security measures.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The vendor has released a patch in version 6.1.6, and it is crucial for users to update their installations to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.
For further details, organizations can refer to the official WordPress plugin page.
Vulnerability Details
The Modal Window – create popup modal window plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's 'iframeBox' shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 6.1.5 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-79.
The CVSS v3.1 score is 6.4, categorized as medium severity. The attack vector is NETWORK, while the attack complexity is LOW. The privileges required for exploitation are also LOW, and user interaction is NOT required.
This vulnerability impacts the modal_window plugin developed by Wow Company and was published on February 20, 2025.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding, allowing attackers to craft malicious scripts that are stored in the affected plugin's database and executed in the context of the user’s browser when the targeted page is accessed.
The attack vector is network-based, meaning that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely. The complexity of the attack is low, as it requires only that the attacker have contributor-level access to inject scripts. User interaction is not required, further simplifying the exploitation process.
The impacts include potential compromise of confidentiality and integrity, as attackers may execute scripts that capture user session data or manipulate page content. There is no impact on availability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes the exposure of sensitive user information and potential unauthorized actions taken on behalf of legitimate users. The blast radius could be extensive, depending on the number of users accessing the compromised pages, and the impact could lead to significant reputational damage and legal repercussions.
Given the CVSS score of 6.4, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The lack of known active exploitation does not diminish the importance of remediation, as the low attack complexity presents a serious risk.
Organizations should also consider implementing a security testing framework to regularly assess their applications for vulnerabilities, potentially integrating solutions such as penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions prior to vendor patch 6.1.6 are affected by this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should upgrade to version 6.1.6 of the Modal Window plugin to mitigate this vulnerability. If immediate upgrading is not possible, consider implementing input validation and sanitization mechanisms on user inputs to prevent script injection.
Additionally, organizations may want to engage in application security assessments to evaluate and enhance their overall security posture.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring for unusual user interactions with the modal window and implementing logging for changes made to the plugin settings can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also look for any unauthorized scripts being executed in the browser.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-0897 lies in its representation of the persistent risks associated with inadequate input sanitization in web applications. It serves as a reminder to security teams to maintain vigilance in reviewing and updating their security practices.
Organizations should utilize this opportunity to enhance their security frameworks, particularly by integrating practices that prioritize security testing, such as penetration testing methodologies that can identify and remediate vulnerabilities effectively.
Additionally, organizations should ensure they have a robust vulnerability management program in place to respond quickly to emerging threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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