The Category Posts Widget is a popular WordPress plugin that allows users to display posts from specified categories in a widget format. It is often used to enhance the user experience by providing dynamic content related to specific categories. However, a critical vulnerability has been discovered—CVE-2025-1453—that allows attackers to exploit stored XSS within the widget’s settings. This vulnerability enables attackers with editor-level permissions to inject malicious JavaScript, leading to potential backdoor creation and full account takeover.
| CVE | CVE-2025-1453 |
| Category Posts Widget < 4.9.20 | |
| Critical | High |
| All Time | 1 711 559 |
| Active installations | 50 000+ |
| Publicly Published | April 22, 2025 |
| Last Updated | April 22, 2025 |
| Researcher | Dmitrii Ignatyev |
| OWASP TOP-10 | A7: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) |
| PoC | Yes |
| Exploit | No |
| Reference | https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-1453 https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/6bf93a34-a19f-4266-a95d-033551db43e6/ |
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| Logo of the plugin |  |
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Timeline
| January 10, 2025 | Plugin testing and vulnerability detection in the Category Posts Widget have been completed |
| January 10, 2025 | I contacted the author of the plugin and provided a vulnerability PoC with a description and recommendations for fixing |
| April 22, 2025 | Registered CVE-2025-1453 |
Discovery of the Vulnerability
The vulnerability was discovered through manual penetration testing of the Category Posts Widget plugin. It was identified that the “Template” field in the “Post details” section of the widget settings did not adequately sanitize user input. By injecting malicious JavaScript code into this field, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability. When the widget is rendered on the frontend, the malicious script would execute in the context of the user’s browser, allowing an attacker to hijack the session of a privileged user, such as an administrator.
Understanding of XSS attack’s
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities are some of the most common and severe issues found in WordPress plugins. XSS allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into a website’s pages, which are then executed in the context of other users’ browsers. These attacks can lead to data theft, session hijacking, and privilege escalation. In this case, the vulnerability allows an attacker with editor-level permissions to inject JavaScript into the widget’s settings, which could later be executed when the widget is viewed. Real-world examples of XSS vulnerabilities include attackers hijacking admin sessions, redirecting users to malicious websites, or stealing sensitive information by accessing cookies and credentials.
Exploiting the XSS Vulnerability
To exploit CVE-2025-0671, an attacker with editor+ privileges:
POC:
1) You should create new "Category Posts" widget. 2) Change "Template" field in Post details section to "Malicious JS code eval() and etc. For example <img src=x onerror=alert(1)> 3) Save Settings____
The risks associated with CVE-2025-1453 are severe. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker can escalate privileges, potentially allowing them to hijack admin accounts or inject malicious code that executes when an admin or editor views the widget. In real-world scenarios, this could result in a complete takeover of the WordPress site. Attackers could steal sensitive data, alter content, or insert backdoors that allow them to regain access to the site even after remediation attempts. E-commerce sites or sites that manage user data are particularly vulnerable, as this exploit could lead to data leakage or unauthorized access to private information.
Recommendations for Improved Security
To mitigate the risk of CVE-2025-1453, users of the Category Posts Widget plugin should immediately update to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability. The plugin developers should implement proper input sanitization to ensure that all user-generated content is sanitized before being rendered on the frontend. WordPress’s built-in functions, such as esc_html() and wp_kses(), should be used to strip out potentially dangerous code. Administrators should also consider restricting editor-level users from modifying widget settings that affect the frontend display, especially for plugins that deal with user-generated content. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins are essential to identify and resolve vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. To prevent this type of attacks vendor used our methods of prevention.
By taking proactive measures to address Stored XSS vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-1453, WordPress website owners can enhance their security posture and safeguard against potential exploitation. Stay vigilant, stay secure.
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Dmitrii I.