WordPress plugins expand the functionality of websites but can sometimes introduce security vulnerabilities if user inputs are not properly validated and sanitized. CVE-2025-1626 highlights a critical Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability discovered in the popular Qi Blocks plugin (versions prior to 1.4), which could be exploited by users with Contributor privileges. This flaw poses a serious risk to the security of WordPress sites using the plugin, as it could lead to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or complete site compromise.
| CVE | CVE-2025-1626 |
| Plugin | Qi Blocks < 1.4 |
| Critical | High |
| All Time | 533 058 |
| Active installations | 60 000+ |
| Publicly Published | April 28, 2025 |
| Last Updated | April 28, 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-2025-1625 https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/288208c4-e9ca-4b79-88e7-fb415a726fce/ |
| Plugin Security Certification by CleanTalk |  |
| Logo of the plugin |  |
PSC by CleantalkJoin the community of developers who prioritize security. Highlight your plugin in the WordPress catalog.
Timeline
| February 7, 2025 | Plugin testing and vulnerability detection in the QI Blocks have been completed |
| February 7, 2024 | I contacted the author of the plugin and provided a vulnerability PoC with a description and recommendations for fixing |
| April 28, 2025 | Registered CVE-2025-1626 |
Discovery of the Vulnerability
The vulnerability was identified during a security assessment of the Qi Blocks plugin. It was found that users with at least Contributor permissions could insert malicious JavaScript code into the Second Singular Label field of the Countdown block while creating a post. The plugin failed to sanitize or encode this field properly, allowing attackers to store executable scripts. These scripts would be triggered both inside the WordPress admin dashboard (in /wp-admin/post-new.php) and potentially on the public post view, depending on how the data was published.
Understanding of XSS attack’s
Stored XSS vulnerabilities occur when untrusted input is permanently stored on a server (e.g., in a database) and then served to other users in a way that allows the malicious script to execute in their browsers. In WordPress, this is particularly dangerous because many roles (like Contributors) are trusted to submit content but are not expected to inject executable code.
Real-world examples include:
- Attackers inserting malicious scripts into post titles, custom fields, or widget settings.
- Scripts triggering administrative actions when an administrator views the infected page (e.g., creating new admin accounts, modifying settings).
- Users being silently redirected to phishing or malware sites.
Exploiting the XSS Vulnerability
To exploit CVE-2025-1625:
POC:
1. An attacker logs into an account with Contributor privileges. 2. They create a new post and add a Countdown block. 3. In the block settings, under Labels -> Second Singular Label, they insert a payload like: "><script></script><img src=x onerror=alert(777)> OR "><script></script><img src=x onerror=alert(777)> 4. Upon saving or previewing the post, the payload is rendered and executed every 60 seconds, both within the WordPress backend (/wp-admin/post-new.php) and on the public post if published without proper encoding.____
Depending on the context, this could lead to the execution of arbitrary JavaScript in an admin’s session, enabling further attacks such as privilege escalation or defacement.
Recommendations for Improved Security
To mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2025-1626, administrators should immediately update the Qi Blocks plugin to version 1.4 or later. Developers must ensure that all user inputs, particularly in customizable fields like the Countdown block labels, are properly sanitized and encoded before being saved or rendered. Implementing a strict Content Security Policy (CSP) can further help reduce the impact of potential XSS vulnerabilities by restricting the execution of untrusted scripts. Administrators should also limit Contributor capabilities where possible, ensuring they cannot inject HTML or JavaScript into sensitive areas. Regular reviews of user roles and post permissions should be conducted to minimize unnecessary access. WordPress’s built-in functions such as sanitize_text_field(), esc_html(), and wp_kses_post() should be consistently applied when handling user inputs. To prevent this type of attack in the future, the vendor applied our recommended methods of prevention, focusing on strong input validation and secure output encoding. To prevent this type of attacks vendor used our methods of prevention.
By taking proactive measures to address Stored XSS vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-1625, WordPress website owners can enhance their security posture and safeguard against potential exploitation. Stay vigilant, stay secure.
#WordPressSecurity #StoredXSS #WebsiteSafety #StayProtected #HighVulnerability
Use CleanTalk solutions to improve the security of your website
Artyom k.