CVE-2025-13527 Overview
CVE-2025-13527 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability affecting the xShare plugin for WordPress in all versions up to and including 1.0.1. The flaw exists in the xshare_plugin_reset() function, which lacks nonce validation. Unauthenticated attackers can reset the plugin's settings by tricking a site administrator into clicking a crafted link. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-352 and requires user interaction to succeed. Successful exploitation results in unauthorized configuration changes but does not directly compromise confidentiality or availability.
Critical Impact
Attackers can reset xShare plugin settings on a vulnerable WordPress site by tricking an authenticated administrator into clicking a malicious link, leading to unauthorized integrity changes.
Affected Products
- xShare plugin for WordPress, versions up to and including 1.0.1
- WordPress sites with the xShare plugin installed and active
- Administrator accounts on impacted WordPress installations
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-01-07 - CVE-2025-13527 published to NVD
- 2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-13527
Vulnerability Analysis
The xShare plugin exposes a settings reset capability through the xshare_plugin_reset() function. This function processes state-changing requests without verifying a WordPress nonce token. WordPress nonces protect against CSRF by ensuring requests originate from authorized, intended user actions within the admin interface.
Without this validation, the plugin treats any request reaching the reset handler as legitimate, provided the requesting browser carries a valid administrator session cookie. An attacker can craft a malicious page or link that triggers this request when visited by an authenticated administrator. The browser automatically attaches the admin session cookie, and the reset executes server-side.
The impact is limited to integrity. Plugin configuration data is overwritten with default values, but no sensitive information is exfiltrated and the site remains available. User interaction is required for exploitation.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing nonce validation on a state-changing administrative function. The xshare_plugin_reset() function in index.php does not call check_admin_referer() or wp_verify_nonce() before performing the reset operation. This violates WordPress security best practices, which require nonce checks on any handler that modifies persistent state.
Attack Vector
Exploitation proceeds over the network and requires social engineering. An attacker hosts a malicious web page containing an auto-submitting form or image tag that targets the vulnerable endpoint on the victim's WordPress site. The attacker then lures a logged-in administrator to visit the page via phishing, a forum post, or another delivery channel. When the administrator's browser loads the page, it issues the forged request and the plugin executes the reset. See the Wordfence Vulnerability Report and the WordPress Plugin Code Review for technical details on the affected code path.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-13527
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected resets of xShare plugin configuration on a WordPress site
- HTTP requests to the xShare reset endpoint with Referer headers pointing to external or untrusted domains
- Administrator access logs showing reset requests immediately after visiting external links or email-delivered URLs
Detection Strategies
- Review web server access logs for requests targeting the xShare plugin's reset handler in index.php originating from external referrers
- Audit WordPress plugin settings periodically to detect unauthorized reverts to default xShare configuration
- Inspect HTTP request patterns for state-changing GET or POST requests lacking valid nonce parameters
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress audit logging plugins to track configuration changes and administrator actions
- Forward web access logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation with phishing or suspicious browsing activity
- Alert on administrator account activity that includes outbound clicks followed by plugin configuration changes
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-13527
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate the xShare plugin on all WordPress sites until a patched version is available
- Restrict administrative access to trusted networks and enforce session timeouts for admin users
- Train administrators to avoid clicking unsolicited links while logged into WordPress admin sessions
Patch Information
As of the latest NVD update, no fixed version of the xShare plugin has been published. All releases up to and including 1.0.1 remain vulnerable. Monitor the WordPress Plugin Source Code repository and the Wordfence Vulnerability Report for patch announcements and apply updates as soon as they are released.
Workarounds
- Remove or disable the xShare plugin until the vendor releases a fix that adds nonce validation
- Deploy a web application firewall rule that blocks requests to the xShare reset endpoint lacking valid Referer and nonce parameters
- Use browser session isolation, opening WordPress admin sessions in a dedicated browser profile separated from general browsing
# Example: disable xShare plugin via WP-CLI until a patch is available
wp plugin deactivate xshare
wp plugin delete xshare
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
