CVE-2025-1406 affects the Newpost Catch plugin for WordPress, which is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes. This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level access and above to inject arbitrary web scripts through the plugin's npc shortcode. These scripts can execute whenever a user accesses an affected page, leading to potential data theft or further exploitation.
With a CVSS score of 6.4, this vulnerability is classified as medium severity. The risk to organizations includes unauthorized data access and the possibility of malicious actions being executed on behalf of legitimate users. It is crucial for organizations using this plugin to address this vulnerability promptly to avoid exploitation.
The vulnerability was published on February 21, 2025, and affects all versions of the Newpost Catch plugin up to and including version 1.3.19. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to secure their WordPress installations and prevent any potential exploitation.
Currently, there are no known exploits available in public repositories, and the vulnerability is not listed as actively exploited. However, the nature of XSS vulnerabilities means they could be leveraged in targeted attacks.
Vulnerability Details
The official CVE description details that the Newpost Catch plugin allows Stored Cross-Site Scripting through its npc shortcode. Insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes are the root causes. The CVSS score of 6.4 indicates medium severity, highlighting potential confidentiality and integrity impacts.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the inadequate sanitization of input data. The attack vector is network-based, allowing attackers to exploit the vulnerability remotely. The attack complexity is low, requiring only basic skills from the attacker, and the privileges required are low as well, meaning that even users with limited access can exploit this vulnerability. User interaction is not required for the attack to succeed.
The confidentiality and integrity impacts are classified as low, implying that while sensitive data may not be directly compromised, the integrity of the application's functionality is at stake. The availability impact is none, indicating that the vulnerability does not lead to denial of service.
Risk & Impact Analysis
This vulnerability poses a real-world risk as it allows authenticated attackers to inject scripts into web pages. The potential blast radius includes all users accessing the affected site, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on the Newpost Catch plugin for their WordPress sites. Organizations should assess the potential impact on their user base and reputation.
Given the medium CVSS score and the absence of known exploits, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the associated risks.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The Newpost Catch plugin is affected in all versions up to and including 1.3.19. Organizations using this plugin should review their current versions and apply any necessary updates or patches.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should upgrade to the latest version of the Newpost Catch plugin that addresses this issue. If immediate upgrading is not possible, consider implementing input validation and output encoding for user-supplied data. For detailed guidance on security practices, organizations can refer to the application security assessment to identify similar vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any unusual activities or unauthorized changes to pages that utilize the Newpost Catch plugin. Behavioral anomalies in user sessions, especially those involving page modifications, should be treated as potential indicators of exploitation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The Newpost Catch vulnerability highlights the ongoing risk of XSS attacks in web applications, particularly those that do not adequately sanitize user input. Security teams should prioritize input validation and output encoding as part of their security posture. Trends indicate that vulnerabilities like these are often exploited in the wild, reinforcing the need for rigorous security practices.
For further insights into security testing methodologies and trends, organizations can explore our penetration testing methodology and the importance of vulnerability management in maintaining secure applications. Additionally, examining our research on vulnerability management programs can provide organizations with the necessary framework to effectively mitigate risks associated with vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-1406.
Lastly, organizations should remain vigilant and proactive in assessing their security posture to protect against 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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