CVE-2025-23669 is a medium-severity vulnerability classified as Cross-site Scripting (XSS). It affects the WP Smart Tooltip plugin developed by Nurul Amin, specifically versions up to and including 1.0.0. The vulnerability arises due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, allowing for stored XSS attacks. This issue has been published on January 27, 2025, and remains relevant as organizations continue to use affected versions.
With a CVSS score of 6.5, the vulnerability is deemed medium severity, indicating that it poses a notable risk to organizations that utilize the affected plugin. Exploiting this vulnerability can lead to attackers executing arbitrary scripts in the context of user sessions, which may compromise sensitive user data and lead to unauthorized actions on behalf of users.
Risk to organizations includes potential data theft, unauthorized access, and manipulation of web content. Organizations should take immediate action to assess their use of the WP Smart Tooltip plugin and implement necessary patches to mitigate the associated risks.
It is critical for defenders to prioritize patching for this vulnerability, as its exploitation could lead to significant security breaches.
The vulnerability is currently categorized as deferred, indicating that it may not have been fully addressed by the vendor at this time. Organizations should remain vigilant and monitor for any updates or patches that address the vulnerability.
Given the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact, it is imperative for organizations to regularly review their installed plugins and ensure they are kept up to date.
Vulnerability Details
CVE-2025-23669 refers to an improper neutralization of input during web page generation, leading to stored Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the WP Smart Tooltip plugin. Specifically, this vulnerability affects versions from n/a through 1.0.0. The CVSS score is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level, which suggests that while the vulnerability may require some effort to exploit, its impact could be significant.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is classified as network-based, indicating that an attacker could exploit this issue remotely. The attack complexity is low, meaning that minimal skill or resources are needed to carry out an attack. The user interaction required is marked as required, which means that the victim must take action such as clicking on a link or loading a page for the attack to be successful.
The vulnerability also has low impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, suggesting that while the exploitation might not lead to catastrophic failures, it can still result in unauthorized access to user data and manipulation of web content.
The CWE classification associated with this vulnerability is CWE-79, which corresponds to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically related to Cross-site Scripting.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2025-23669 lies in the improper handling of user input within the WP Smart Tooltip plugin. Specifically, the input provided by users is not adequately sanitized before being rendered on the web page, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in the context of web applications, where such scripts can be executed in the browser of unsuspecting users.
The attack vector is network-based, which means that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability over the internet. The attack complexity is low, enabling attackers to exploit the vulnerability with little effort. The requirement for user interaction implies that the victim needs to perform some action, such as clicking a link or loading a malicious page, for the attack to succeed.
In terms of privileges, the vulnerability can be exploited with low privileges, meaning that an attacker does not need to have administrative access to exploit the flaw. The impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all rated as low, suggesting that while the vulnerability's exploitation may not lead to a complete takeover of the system, it can still result in significant security concerns.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment of CVE-2025-23669 poses a significant risk to organizations using the WP Smart Tooltip plugin. The risk arises from the potential for stored XSS attacks, which can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information and manipulation of user sessions. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to execute scripts in the context of the affected application, leading to data theft or unauthorized actions.
Organizations should assess the impact of this vulnerability on their systems, especially if they utilize the affected plugin across multiple instances. The blast radius of exploitation could extend to all users interacting with the affected application, making it imperative for organizations to evaluate their exposure.
Urgency assessment based on the CVSS score of 6.5 indicates that organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. Failing to do so could lead to significant reputational damage and loss of user trust.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects the WP Smart Tooltip plugin in all versions prior to the vendor patch, specifically up to and including version 1.0.0. Organizations using this plugin should verify their installations and ensure they are running a patched version.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching WP Smart Tooltip to the latest version to remediate this vulnerability. If a patch is not immediately available, consider disabling the plugin until a secure version is released. Additionally, ensure that input validation and sanitization practices are implemented to reinforce security.
For ongoing security assessments, organizations can consider utilizing penetration testing services to identify similar weaknesses across their web applications.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of CVE-2025-23669, organizations should monitor for unusual log entries indicating attempts to inject scripts. Behavioral anomalies in user interactions, such as unexpected redirections or script executions, should also be flagged.
Network signatures that identify patterns of XSS attacks can aid in early detection, as well as monitoring for changes in system configurations that may indicate a successful exploitation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2025-23669 highlights a continuing trend in web vulnerabilities, particularly the prevalence of Cross-site Scripting (XSS) issues in popular plugins. Organizations must remain vigilant in monitoring third-party components for vulnerabilities and prioritize regular security assessments.
Security teams should enhance their vulnerability management programs to include stringent review processes for plugins and extensions. This includes ensuring that only trusted and actively maintained components are used within their applications.
For comprehensive guidance on managing application security risks, organizations can refer to the following resources: vulnerability management program design and penetration testing methodology insights to strengthen their defenses.
Moreover, organizations should consider integrating cloud security assessments into their overall security strategy to ensure comprehensive coverage against evolving threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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