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CVE-2025-24687: Medium Vulnerability in Lars Wallenborn Show/Hide Shortcode

A medium severity Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability has been identified in the Lars Wallenborn Show/Hide Shortcode plugin. Organizations using affected versions should prioritize remediation to mitigate risks associated with stored XSS attacks.

MEDIUMCVSS 6.5 · Published January 24, 2025

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CVE-2025-24687 is a medium severity vulnerability classified as a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) flaw. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the Lars Wallenborn Show/Hide Shortcode plugin, with the potential to execute stored XSS attacks. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 6.5, indicating a moderate risk level. Organizations utilizing affected versions should recognize the urgency of addressing this vulnerability to prevent exploitation.

The vulnerability affects versions of the Show/Hide Shortcode plugin up to and including 1.0.0. It is crucial for organizations to understand the risk posed by such vulnerabilities, particularly in the context of web applications where user input is involved.

With the vulnerability being classified as stored XSS, attackers may leverage this flaw to inject malicious scripts into web pages. This can lead to unauthorized access to user data, session hijacking, or the deployment of malware. Therefore, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.

Currently, there is no known public exploit or proof of concept associated with this vulnerability. As a result, organizations need to remain proactive in monitoring and remediating vulnerabilities to enhance their security posture.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability is characterized as an improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically categorized under CWE-79. This classification indicates that user input is not adequately sanitized before being processed and displayed on web pages.

The specific CVSS vector for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L, which outlines the attack vector as network-based, with low complexity and low privileges required for exploitation. User interaction is necessary for successful exploitation, further emphasizing the need for user awareness.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of CVE-2025-24687 lies in the inadequate sanitization of user input. Attackers can inject malicious scripts into the input fields, which are then stored and later executed in the context of the affected web application.

The attack vector is network-based, indicating that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely. The attack complexity is rated as low, meaning that the exploit can be executed without requiring sophisticated methods. Users must interact with the malicious content for the attack to succeed.

The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a low extent. However, given the nature of XSS attacks, the potential for sensitive information exposure and user session hijacking remains a significant concern.

Risk & Impact Analysis

Risk to organizations includes the potential for unauthorized access to user data, leading to data breaches and loss of user trust. Given the prevalence of web applications and the likelihood of user interaction with potentially malicious content, organizations must assess their exposure to this vulnerability.

The blast radius of this vulnerability can extend to any user who interacts with the compromised application, making the impact potentially widespread. Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to mitigate the associated risks.

Exploitation Status

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

The vulnerability affects the Show/Hide Shortcode plugin in versions from n/a through 1.0.0. Organizations should ensure they are using versions that have resolved this issue.

Mitigation & Remediation

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2025-24687, organizations should apply the latest patches to the Show/Hide Shortcode plugin as soon as they become available. If a patch is not yet available, consider disabling the plugin or restricting its use to mitigate potential exposure.

Organizations should also implement rigorous security practices such as input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS vulnerabilities in web applications. Regular security assessments, including penetration testing and security audits, can help identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Detection Guidance

Organizations should monitor for unusual behavior in applications using the Show/Hide Shortcode plugin. Log indicators such as input validation failures, unexpected user interactions, and changes to stored content can help identify potential exploitation attempts.

Implementing network monitoring to detect traffic patterns indicative of XSS attacks is also advisable. A comprehensive security monitoring strategy can aid in the early detection of exploitation attempts.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

CVE-2025-24687 serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in securing web applications against XSS vulnerabilities. The increasing sophistication of attackers highlights the need for organizations to adopt a proactive security posture.

Security teams should prioritize education around secure coding practices and enforce strict input validation measures. For further insights into security best practices, organizations can refer to the penetration testing methodology and other relevant resources.

Furthermore, organizations should implement security training for developers to reduce the risk of introducing similar vulnerabilities in the future. Consistent monitoring of application security trends will also help in adapting strategies to mitigate 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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