Overview
CVE-2025-13515 is a security vulnerability affecting the Nouri.sh Newsletter plugin for WordPress. Specifically, it’s a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability present in all versions up to and including 1.0.1.3. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to potentially inject malicious JavaScript code into web pages that are then executed in a user’s browser, given the user is tricked into interacting with a crafted link.
Technical Details
The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping within the plugin’s code. The `$_SERVER[‘PHP_SELF’]` parameter is used without proper validation. This allows an attacker to craft a URL containing malicious JavaScript code. When a user clicks on this crafted link, the malicious script is reflected back to the user’s browser and executed. This can lead to various attacks, including cookie theft, session hijacking, and website defacement.
The problematic code is located within the `options.phtml` template file. Specifically, the vulnerability can be observed in the version 1.0.1.3 tag and the trunk of the plugin.
CVSS Analysis
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) score for CVE-2025-13515 is 6.1 (Medium). This score indicates a moderate level of severity. While it doesn’t grant direct access to the server, the potential for exploitation through social engineering makes it a serious concern. The CVSS vector likely includes attributes like: AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N, representing Network attack vector, Low attack complexity, No privileges required, User interaction required, Changed scope, Low confidentiality impact, Low integrity impact, and No availability impact.
Possible Impact
A successful XSS attack leveraging CVE-2025-13515 could have several negative consequences:
- Cookie Theft: Attackers could steal a user’s cookies, potentially gaining access to their WordPress account or other sensitive information.
- Session Hijacking: By stealing a user’s session ID, attackers could impersonate them and perform actions on their behalf.
- Website Defacement: Attackers could inject code to alter the appearance of the website, potentially damaging its reputation.
- Redirection to Malicious Sites: Users could be redirected to phishing websites or other malicious domains.
- Credential Harvesting: Fake login forms could be injected into the page to steal user credentials.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
The most effective mitigation is to update the Nouri.sh Newsletter plugin to the latest version. Check the WordPress plugin repository for an updated version that addresses this vulnerability. If an update is not yet available, consider temporarily disabling the plugin until a patch is released.
Here are some general security best practices to further enhance your WordPress site’s security:
- Keep all plugins and themes up to date.
- Use a strong password for your WordPress administrator account.
- Implement a web application firewall (WAF).
- Regularly scan your website for malware and vulnerabilities.
