CVE-2025-12540: ShareThis WordPress Info Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2025-12540 Overview

The ShareThis Dashboard for Google Analytics plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 3.2.4. This vulnerability stems from the Google Analytics client_ID and client_secret being stored in plaintext within the publicly visible plugin source code. This security flaw can allow unauthenticated attackers to craft a malicious link to the sharethis.com server, which will share an authorization token for Google Analytics with a malicious website if the attacker can trick an administrator logged into both the website and Google Analytics to click the link.

Critical Impact

Exposed OAuth credentials enable attackers to potentially hijack Google Analytics authorization tokens through social engineering, compromising sensitive analytics data and potentially enabling further attacks on connected Google services.

Affected Products

• ShareThis Dashboard for Google Analytics plugin for WordPress versions up to and including 3.2.4
• WordPress installations with the affected plugin installed
• Google Analytics accounts connected through the vulnerable plugin

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-07 - CVE CVE-2025-12540 published to NVD
• 2026-01-08 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-12540

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor). The core issue lies in the insecure storage of OAuth credentials within the plugin's publicly accessible source files.

The ShareThis Dashboard for Google Analytics plugin commits a fundamental security anti-pattern by embedding Google Analytics OAuth credentials (client_ID and client_secret) directly in the plugin source code. Since WordPress plugins are distributed publicly through the WordPress plugin repository, these credentials are visible to anyone who inspects the plugin code.

The attack requires user interaction—specifically, an administrator who is logged into both the WordPress site and Google Analytics must be tricked into clicking a maliciously crafted link. This social engineering component is essential to the exploitation chain. When successful, the attack enables the attacker to receive an authorization token that grants access to the victim's Google Analytics data.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is the hardcoding of sensitive OAuth credentials (client_ID and client_secret) in plaintext within the plugin's publicly accessible credentials.json file. This violates security best practices which dictate that secrets should never be stored in source code, especially in publicly distributed software. The credentials should instead be dynamically configured by the end user or stored securely in environment variables or a protected configuration file outside the web root.

Attack Vector

The attack leverages the exposed OAuth credentials through a network-based vector requiring user interaction. The exploitation flow works as follows:

1. An attacker discovers the hardcoded client_ID and client_secret in the publicly available plugin source
2. The attacker crafts a malicious OAuth authorization URL pointing to sharethis.com server but with a redirect to attacker-controlled infrastructure
3. The attacker distributes this link through phishing emails, social media, or other means targeting WordPress administrators
4. When an administrator who is logged into both WordPress and Google Analytics clicks the link, the OAuth flow initiates
5. The authorization token is then shared with the attacker's malicious website instead of the legitimate sharethis.com endpoint
6. With the captured authorization token, the attacker can access the victim's Google Analytics data

The vulnerability requires a change of scope as the compromised credentials affect the external Google Analytics service beyond the WordPress installation itself.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-12540

Indicators of Compromise

• Review web server access logs for unusual OAuth callback requests to sharethis.com endpoints
• Monitor for suspicious authorization requests originating from unfamiliar or external sources in Google Analytics audit logs
• Check for unexpected applications or sessions in Google Analytics connected apps settings
• Inspect outbound traffic patterns for OAuth token exchanges with non-standard destinations

Detection Strategies

• Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict OAuth redirects to trusted domains only
• Deploy web application firewall rules to detect and block suspicious OAuth redirect patterns
• Enable detailed logging on WordPress admin actions and review for unusual activity
• Configure alerts in Google Analytics for new application connections or unusual API access patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Regularly audit Google Analytics connected applications and revoke any unrecognized authorizations
• Monitor WordPress plugin update notifications and apply security patches promptly
• Implement security awareness training for administrators regarding OAuth-based phishing attacks
• Use endpoint detection solutions to identify potential credential theft attempts through suspicious link clicks

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-12540

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the ShareThis Dashboard for Google Analytics plugin to a version newer than 3.2.4 once a patch is available
• Review and revoke any suspicious Google Analytics authorizations in the Google Account security settings
• Consider temporarily disabling the vulnerable plugin until a patched version is released
• Audit administrator accounts for any signs of compromise or unauthorized access
• Educate site administrators about the risks of clicking suspicious links while authenticated

Patch Information

As of the last CVE update on 2026-01-08, organizations should monitor the WordPress Plugin Credentials repository for updates and the Wordfence Vulnerability Report for additional remediation guidance. Users should ensure automatic plugin updates are enabled or manually check for security updates regularly.

Workarounds

• Temporarily deactivate the ShareThis Dashboard for Google Analytics plugin until a secure version is available
• Implement strict Content Security Policy headers to limit OAuth redirect destinations
• Configure web application firewall rules to block or monitor OAuth-related traffic patterns
• Use Google Analytics through alternative methods that do not rely on the vulnerable plugin
• Enable multi-factor authentication on all administrator accounts to add an additional security layer

# WordPress CLI command to deactivate the vulnerable plugin
wp plugin deactivate sharethis-dashboard-for-google-analytics --path=/var/www/html/wordpress

# Verify plugin status
wp plugin status sharethis-dashboard-for-google-analytics --path=/var/www/html/wordpress

# Alternative: Rename plugin directory to prevent loading
mv /var/www/html/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/googleanalytics /var/www/html/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/googleanalytics.disabled