Overview
A stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability has been identified in the Meta Display Block plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-12088, affects all versions up to and including 1.0.0. It allows authenticated attackers with Contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious JavaScript code into pages, potentially compromising the security of your website and its users. This injected code will execute whenever a user views the affected page.
Technical Details
The Meta Display Block plugin suffers from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping when handling data related to the Meta Display Block. This allows an attacker to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code through the plugin’s functionality. Because the injected script is stored in the database, it persists and executes whenever a user visits the page containing the malicious block. This poses a significant risk as it can be used to steal user credentials, redirect users to malicious websites, or deface the website.
CVSS Analysis
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) assigns this vulnerability a score of 6.4, indicating a MEDIUM severity. This score reflects the potential for significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, given the ease of exploitation for authenticated users.
Possible Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to various detrimental outcomes, including:
- Account Takeover: Attackers can steal administrator credentials by injecting JavaScript code to capture keystrokes or redirect users to phishing pages.
- Website Defacement: Malicious scripts can alter the appearance of the website, displaying unwanted content or redirecting users to other sites.
- Malware Distribution: The injected code can be used to distribute malware to visitors of the compromised website.
- Data Theft: Sensitive data, such as user information or financial details, can be stolen through injected scripts.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
The most effective mitigation strategy is to update the Meta Display Block plugin to the latest version as soon as a patched version is released. Monitor the WordPress plugin repository or the plugin developer’s website for updates. Unfortunately, as of this writing, there is no indication of a patched version. Therefore, as an interim measure:
- Disable the Plugin: If you are not actively using the Meta Display Block plugin, immediately disable it.
- Restrict User Roles: Limit Contributor-level access and above to only trusted users. Closely monitor their activity.
- Web Application Firewall (WAF): Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block XSS attacks. Ensure your WAF rules are up-to-date.
- Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits of your WordPress website and plugins to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
