Overview
This article provides a detailed analysis of CVE-2025-12151, a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability discovered in the Simple Folio WordPress plugin. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.1.0. Exploitation allows authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level access or higher to inject malicious JavaScript code into the plugin’s portfolio entries. This code then executes in the browsers of other users who view the infected pages, potentially leading to account compromise, data theft, or website defacement.
Technical Details
The vulnerability resides in the lack of proper input sanitization and output escaping of the portfolio_name parameter. Specifically, when a user creates or edits a portfolio item, the portfolio_name field is not properly sanitized before being stored in the database and is not properly escaped when displayed on the website. This allows an attacker to inject arbitrary JavaScript code within this field. When other users, including administrators, view pages containing the affected portfolio item, the injected JavaScript code will be executed in their browsers. The vulnerability is located within the plugin’s core functionality for handling portfolio item data.
CVSS Analysis
- CVE ID: CVE-2025-12151
- Severity: MEDIUM
- CVSS Score: 6.4
This CVSS score indicates a medium severity vulnerability. While it requires authentication, the low privilege level (Subscriber) needed for exploitation and the potential impact on multiple users make it a significant risk.
Possible Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can have serious consequences:
- Account Compromise: Attackers can steal user session cookies, leading to account hijacking.
- Website Defacement: Malicious scripts can modify the website’s appearance and content.
- Data Theft: Sensitive data, such as administrator credentials or user information, can be exfiltrated.
- Malware Distribution: The injected script can redirect users to malicious websites or attempt to install malware on their computers.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
The recommended mitigation is to update the Simple Folio plugin to the latest version. Contact the plugin developer to confirm if the vulnerability has been patched. Until an update is available, consider the following temporary measures (though these are not foolproof):
- Disable the Plugin: Temporarily disabling the Simple Folio plugin will prevent exploitation of the vulnerability.
- Web Application Firewall (WAF): Implement a WAF with rules to block XSS attacks targeting the
portfolio_nameparameter. - Restrict User Roles: Limit the number of users with Subscriber-level access and above who can create or edit portfolio items.
Important: Ensure you thoroughly test any updates or configurations in a staging environment before applying them to your live website.
