CVE-2025-15363 Overview
CVE-2025-15363 affects the Get Use APIs WordPress plugin in versions prior to 2.0.10. The plugin executes imported JSON without proper sanitization, enabling Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks under certain server configurations. Users with a role as low as contributor can leverage this flaw to inject malicious scripts.
The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 — Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. Exploitation requires an authenticated session and user interaction, which limits but does not eliminate the attack surface on multi-author WordPress sites.
Critical Impact
Authenticated contributors can inject scripts that execute in the browser context of higher-privileged users, including administrators who view the affected content.
Affected Products
- Get Use APIs WordPress plugin versions before 2.0.10
- WordPress installations running vulnerable plugin builds with permissive server configurations
- Multi-author WordPress sites granting contributor-level or higher accounts
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-18 - CVE-2025-15363 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-15363
Vulnerability Analysis
The Get Use APIs plugin imports JSON data and executes its contents without enforcing output encoding or input sanitization. When the imported JSON includes script payloads, the plugin renders them inline, allowing the browser to execute attacker-controlled JavaScript.
Because the flaw depends on how the host server processes imported content, exploitability varies with PHP configuration and WordPress hardening settings. The vulnerability falls into the Stored Cross-Site Scripting category, since payloads persist within the imported data and trigger when other users view the affected pages.
The attack chain requires an account with contributor privileges or higher. WordPress assigns contributors limited content creation rights, so any site that accepts community submissions or grants contributor access to vendors expands the available attacker pool.
Root Cause
The plugin fails to sanitize JSON content during import and does not encode output when rendering imported values back to the page. This violates standard WordPress security practices, which require functions such as wp_kses_post() or esc_html() before reflecting user-supplied content.
Attack Vector
An authenticated contributor imports a crafted JSON file containing a script payload. When an administrator or visitor later views the page that renders this data, the script executes in their browser session. Attackers can then steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of the victim, or pivot to administrative account takeover.
See the WPScan Vulnerability Report for additional technical context on the import handler behavior.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-15363
Indicators of Compromise
- JSON import requests from contributor-level accounts containing <script> tags or javascript: URIs
- Unexpected outbound requests from administrator browsers to attacker-controlled domains following content review
- New or modified posts and plugin records containing inline event handlers such as onerror or onload
Detection Strategies
- Audit WordPress activity logs for plugin import actions performed by non-administrator roles
- Inspect stored plugin data for embedded HTML or JavaScript that did not originate from trusted authoring workflows
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule that flags JSON uploads containing script-like patterns
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress audit logging for plugin import endpoints and role-based content changes
- Monitor administrator browser sessions for anomalous network requests when reviewing contributor submissions
- Centralize WordPress and webserver logs in a SIEM to correlate import events with subsequent suspicious activity
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-15363
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the Get Use APIs plugin to version 2.0.10 or later on all WordPress installations
- Review contributor and author accounts and remove any unused or unverified users
- Inspect existing imported JSON content for malicious payloads and remove affected entries
Patch Information
The vendor addressed the issue in Get Use APIs version 2.0.10. The fix introduces sanitization of imported JSON content before storage and rendering. Site administrators should apply the update through the WordPress plugin dashboard or via WP-CLI.
Workarounds
- Restrict the JSON import functionality to administrator accounts until the patch is applied
- Temporarily disable the Get Use APIs plugin if updating is not immediately feasible
- Apply WAF rules to block requests containing script tags or HTML event handlers in JSON payloads
# Configuration example
wp plugin update get-use-apis --version=2.0.10
wp user list --role=contributor --fields=ID,user_login,user_email
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
