The Ultimate Dashboard plugin is a popular tool for customizing the WordPress admin dashboard, used by site owners and developers to enhance the client experience with personalized widgets, custom admin pages, and visual tweaks. However, in versions prior to 3.8.6, the plugin was affected by a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability that could lead to privilege escalation, including unauthorized admin account creation.
This vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-1523, represents a critical example of how seemingly innocuous customization features can become attack vectors when proper sanitization is not enforced.
| CVE | CVE-2025-1523 |
| Plugin | Ultimate Dashboard < 3.8.6 |
| Critical | High |
| All Time | 1 020 213 |
| Active installations | 60 000+ |
| Publicly Published | April 09, 2025 |
| Last Updated | April 09, 2025 |
| Researcher | Artyom Krugov |
| OWASP TOP-10 | A7: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) |
| PoC | Yes |
| Exploit | No |
| Reference | https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2025-1523 https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/5a20768f-3128-4b0a-a06b-2247f3e02c99/ |
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| Logo of the plugin |  |
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Timeline
| January 14, 2025 | Plugin testing and vulnerability detection in the Ultimate Dashboard < 3.8.6 have been completed |
| January 14, 2025 | I contacted the author of the plugin and provided a vulnerability PoC with a description and recommendations for fixing |
| April 09, 2025 | Registered CVE-2025-1523 |
Discovery of the Vulnerability
The vulnerability was discovered during a routine plugin audit focusing on admin-level customization components. Researchers found that the plugin allowed malicious JavaScript to be stored within the “Fixed Height” parameter of a Text Widget. When a user with appropriate permissions viewed the dashboard, the script would be executed in their browser context.
This stored XSS payload could then be weaponized to execute arbitrary JavaScript, including code to escalate privileges, create new admin accounts, or implant backdoors.
Understanding of XSS attack’s
Stored XSS (Cross-Site Scripting) occurs when an attacker injects malicious scripts that are saved in the backend and later rendered in a victim’s browser. Unlike Reflected XSS, which is executed immediately via URL or request parameters, Stored XSS persists in the database or settings until viewed.
In the context of WordPress, such vulnerabilities often arise in:
- Plugin settings fields (like widget titles, heights, colors, etc.)
- Custom post types or meta fields
- User profile fields
- Comments or form inputs
Previous examples include XSS in comment sections or profile bios that allowed attackers to steal cookies, redirect users, or execute AJAX requests as admins.
Exploiting the XSS Vulnerability
To exploit CVE-2025-1523, the attacker needs access to the Ultimate Dashboard plugin interface. The steps are as follows:
POC:
1) Navigate to Ultimate Dashboard → Add Dashboard Widget. 2) Select Text Widget as the widget type. 3) Insert the malicious JavaScript payload into the “Fixed Height” field 4) Save the widget. 5) When an administrator or any user with access to the Dashboard hovers over the widget, the payload is triggered.____
Depending on the injected script, this can be used to:
- Steal WordPress nonces or cookies
- Trigger administrative actions (via CSRF or REST API)
- Create new users with administrator roles
- Modify settings or implant backdoors
Recommendations for Improved Security
To mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2025-1523, administrators should immediately update the Ultimate Dashboard plugin to version 3.8.6 or later. The vulnerability was related to the “Fixed Height” field in text widgets, where unsanitized input could allow a stored XSS payload to be executed within the admin dashboard, potentially leading to unauthorized admin account creation. Administrators should ensure that all input fields within the dashboard widget settings are properly sanitized and validated to prevent the storage of executable scripts. Implementing a strict Content Security Policy (CSP) can help minimize the impact of XSS attacks by limiting the execution of untrusted scripts. Additionally, permissions should be restricted so that only trusted roles can access the Ultimate Dashboard settings and create or modify widgets. Regular audits of user roles and capabilities can help detect and prevent privilege escalation. It’s also important to leverage WordPress sanitization functions such as sanitize_text_field() and esc_attr() to ensure any user-provided input is safely handled before being saved or displayed. To prevent this type of attacks vendor used our methods of prevention.
By taking proactive measures to address Stored XSS vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-1523, WordPress website owners can enhance their security posture and safeguard against potential exploitation. Stay vigilant, stay secure.
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Dmitrii I.