CVE-2025-0511 Overview
CVE-2025-0511 is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the Welcart e-Commerce plugin for WordPress. The flaw exists in all versions up to and including 2.11.9. Unauthenticated attackers can inject arbitrary web scripts through the name parameter due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. The injected payload executes in the browser of any user who accesses the affected page. The issue is tracked under [CWE-79] (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation).
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can persist malicious JavaScript in Welcart storefront pages, enabling session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection of shoppers to attacker-controlled infrastructure.
Affected Products
- Welcart e-Commerce plugin for WordPress, all versions through 2.11.9
- WordPress sites running the usc-e-shop plugin package
- Storefronts relying on the vulnerable settlement_func.php code path
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-02-12 - CVE-2025-0511 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-0511
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the Welcart e-Commerce plugin, distributed as usc-e-shop. The plugin accepts a name parameter and renders it back into pages without adequate sanitization or output escaping. Because the input is stored server-side and rendered to any visiting user, the flaw qualifies as Stored XSS rather than reflected. Attackers do not need authentication to submit malicious content, which broadens the exploitable surface significantly.
The affected code path is referenced in the plugin's functions/settlement_func.php file. The plugin's changeset 3235131 in the WordPress plugin repository addresses the missing sanitization and escaping. Details are available in the Wordfence Vulnerability Report and the WordPress Plugin Function Code.
Root Cause
The plugin fails to sanitize user-controlled input passed through the name parameter and does not escape the value on output. This missing defense-in-depth allows raw HTML and JavaScript tokens to persist in stored data and reach the DOM of rendered pages.
Attack Vector
An unauthenticated attacker submits crafted input containing script payloads through the vulnerable name parameter. The payload is stored by the plugin and executed in the browser of any subsequent visitor who loads the injected page. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically a victim visiting the affected page. Successful exploitation leads to cookie theft, session takeover, redirection, and content manipulation within the shopper context.
// No verified public exploit code is available for CVE-2025-0511.
// The vulnerability is triggered by supplying JavaScript within the
// unsanitized 'name' parameter processed by settlement_func.php.
// Refer to the vendor changeset for the exact sanitization fix applied.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-0511
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected <script>, onerror=, or javascript: strings stored in Welcart order, customer, or settlement records tied to the name field.
- Outbound requests from shopper browsers to unfamiliar domains immediately after loading Welcart storefront or checkout pages.
- New or modified WordPress administrator accounts following visits to affected pages.
Detection Strategies
- Review WordPress database tables associated with usc-e-shop for HTML or JavaScript characters in the name field.
- Inspect web server access logs for POST requests to Welcart endpoints containing encoded script fragments in the name parameter.
- Run the Wordfence plugin or equivalent web application scanners that include signatures for the Wordfence Vulnerability Report.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable Content Security Policy (CSP) reporting to capture script violations originating from Welcart pages.
- Alert on WordPress plugin version drift and flag any host still running usc-e-shop at version 2.11.9 or earlier.
- Monitor administrative session activity and cookie reuse from unusual IP ranges after storefront visits.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-0511
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade the Welcart e-Commerce plugin to the version released after changeset 3235131 on all WordPress sites.
- Audit existing stored data for injected script content and remove or sanitize any malicious entries.
- Rotate WordPress administrator credentials and invalidate active sessions if injected payloads are found.
Patch Information
The vendor addressed the flaw in the plugin update referenced by WordPress Changeset Update. Administrators should install any Welcart e-Commerce release later than 2.11.9. Refer to the WordPress Plugin Developer Page for the latest release and version history.
Workarounds
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule that blocks HTML and script tokens in the name parameter for Welcart endpoints until patching is complete.
- Enforce a restrictive Content Security Policy that disallows inline scripts on storefront and checkout pages.
- Disable the Welcart plugin on affected sites if immediate patching is not feasible.
# Example: verify installed Welcart plugin version via WP-CLI
wp plugin get usc-e-shop --field=version
# Update the plugin to the patched release
wp plugin update usc-e-shop
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
