CVE-2025-14903: Simple Crypto Shortcodes CSRF Vulnerability

CVE-2025-14903 Overview

CVE-2025-14903 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability affecting the Simple Crypto Shortcodes plugin for WordPress in versions up to and including 1.0.2. The flaw resides in the scs_backend function, which lacks nonce validation. Unauthenticated attackers can update plugin settings by tricking a site administrator into clicking a crafted link or visiting a malicious page. The vulnerability is tracked under [CWE-352] and requires user interaction to succeed. Wordfence published the corresponding advisory for this plugin issue.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can modify plugin configuration by leveraging an administrator's authenticated session through a forged request.

Affected Products

Simple Crypto Shortcodes plugin for WordPress, versions ≤ 1.0.2
WordPress sites with the plugin installed and active
Administrator accounts targeted via social engineering

Discovery Timeline

2026-01-24 - CVE-2025-14903 published to NVD
2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-14903

Vulnerability Analysis

The Simple Crypto Shortcodes plugin exposes a backend handler named scs_backend that processes administrative configuration changes. The handler omits any verification of a WordPress nonce, which is the standard anti-CSRF token mechanism in the platform. Without nonce validation, the server accepts state-changing requests purely based on the administrator's authenticated session cookie. An attacker who hosts a malicious page can embed an auto-submitting form or image tag that triggers the request from the administrator's browser. The result is unauthorized modification of plugin settings without the administrator's awareness.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing CSRF protection in the scs_backend function at the plugin entry points referenced in simple_crypto_shortcodes.php (lines 46 and 54). WordPress provides wp_verify_nonce() and check_admin_referer() for this purpose, but the plugin invokes neither before applying setting changes.

Attack Vector

Exploitation is network-based and requires user interaction from a privileged user. An attacker crafts a malicious link or web page that issues a forged POST or GET request to the vulnerable plugin endpoint. When an authenticated administrator visits the attacker-controlled resource, the browser automatically attaches session cookies. The plugin processes the request as legitimate and updates its settings.

No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. Refer to the Wordfence Vulnerability Report and the plugin source at line 46 for technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-14903

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected changes to Simple Crypto Shortcodes plugin settings within the WordPress admin dashboard
HTTP requests to the plugin's admin endpoint originating with Referer headers from external or unknown domains
Administrator browser sessions visiting unfamiliar URLs immediately prior to setting changes

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server access logs for POST or GET requests targeting wp-admin/admin.php or admin-post.php with parameters tied to scs_backend and cross-origin Referer values
Compare current plugin configuration against a known-good baseline to identify unauthorized modifications
Review WordPress audit logs (where available) for setting changes that lack a corresponding administrator login activity

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable a WordPress activity logging plugin to record administrator-initiated configuration changes with source IP and user agent
Alert on plugin setting modifications outside scheduled change windows
Monitor for phishing campaigns targeting site administrators, including links referencing WordPress admin paths

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-14903

Immediate Actions Required

Update the Simple Crypto Shortcodes plugin to a version newer than 1.0.2 once a patched release is available
If no patched version exists, deactivate and remove the plugin from affected WordPress installations
Restrict administrator browsing habits and require separate browser profiles for WordPress administration

Patch Information

At the time of NVD publication, the Simple Crypto Shortcodes plugin advisory lists versions up to and including 1.0.2 as vulnerable. Review the Wordfence Vulnerability Report for the latest patch status and apply any vendor-provided update through the WordPress plugin manager.

Workarounds

Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule that blocks requests to the plugin's admin endpoints lacking a same-origin Referer header
Limit administrator account usage to dedicated sessions and log out immediately after performing administrative tasks
Apply the principle of least privilege so that fewer accounts hold administrator capabilities

bash

# Example WAF rule concept (ModSecurity) to block cross-origin requests to the plugin endpoint
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains scs_backend" \
    "id:1014903,\
    phase:1,\
    deny,\
    status:403,\
    chain,\
    msg:'CVE-2025-14903 CSRF protection - cross-origin request blocked'"
    SecRule REQUEST_HEADERS:Referer "!@beginsWith https://your-wordpress-site.example"