CVE-2025-22514 Overview
CVE-2025-22514 is a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the KNR Author List Widget plugin for WordPress, developed by Yamna Khawaja. The plugin fails to properly neutralize user-supplied input during web page generation, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript that executes in a victim's browser. The flaw affects all versions of knr-author-list-widget up to and including 3.1.1. Exploitation requires user interaction, typically through a crafted link, and can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or actions performed on behalf of authenticated administrators. The vulnerability is tracked under CWE-79.
Critical Impact
A successful reflected XSS attack against an authenticated WordPress administrator can lead to account takeover, malicious content injection, and pivoting into the underlying site.
Affected Products
- KNR Author List Widget plugin for WordPress
- Versions from n/a through 3.1.1 (inclusive)
- Vendor: Yamna Khawaja
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-01-13 - CVE-2025-22514 published to NVD
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-22514
Vulnerability Analysis
The KNR Author List Widget plugin reflects attacker-controlled input back into HTTP responses without proper output encoding or input sanitization. When a victim visits a crafted URL targeting a vulnerable endpoint, the injected payload renders within the page context and executes as JavaScript. Because the attack scope changes from the vulnerable component to the surrounding WordPress application, the attacker can interact with site cookies, the DOM, and any authenticated session the victim holds.
Reflected XSS in a WordPress plugin context is particularly impactful when administrators are targeted. JavaScript executing in an admin session can create new privileged users, modify plugin or theme files, and exfiltrate nonces used for sensitive operations. The EPSS data places this issue in the lower probability range for near-term exploitation, but public WordPress plugin vulnerabilities are routinely weaponized through phishing campaigns.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of input during web page generation, classified as [CWE-79]. The plugin accepts request parameters and embeds them into HTML output without applying WordPress sanitization functions such as esc_html(), esc_attr(), or wp_kses(). The absence of context-aware output encoding allows raw HTML and script tokens to break out of intended contexts.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires user interaction. An attacker crafts a malicious URL containing a JavaScript payload in a vulnerable parameter handled by the plugin. The attacker delivers the link through phishing email, malicious advertising, social media, or a compromised site. When a WordPress user, ideally an authenticated administrator, clicks the link, the payload reflects into the response and executes in the user's browser under the origin of the WordPress site.
No authenticated code example is provided by the vendor or research advisory. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-22514
Indicators of Compromise
- Web server access logs containing query parameters with <script>, javascript:, onerror=, or URL-encoded equivalents directed at plugin endpoints.
- Referer headers from unexpected external sites preceding administrator activity on /wp-admin/ paths.
- Unexpected creation of WordPress administrator accounts or modifications to plugins and themes following a click on an external link.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect HTTP access logs for requests targeting knr-author-list-widget resources containing suspicious parameter values.
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule set that flags reflected XSS patterns in query strings and POST bodies.
- Use static analysis on plugin source code to identify echo or print statements that emit $_GET or $_REQUEST values without escaping.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor WordPress audit logs for privileged actions originating shortly after referrer-based redirects to the site.
- Alert on anomalous outbound requests from administrator browsers to attacker-controlled domains, indicating data exfiltration via injected scripts.
- Track plugin version inventory across WordPress installations to identify hosts still running knr-author-list-widget 3.1.1 or earlier.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-22514
Immediate Actions Required
- Disable or remove the KNR Author List Widget plugin if a patched version is not available for the affected installation.
- Force a password reset for WordPress administrator accounts that may have clicked untrusted links while the plugin was active.
- Apply a WAF rule to block requests containing XSS payloads targeting plugin parameters until remediation is complete.
Patch Information
At the time of NVD publication, the advisory lists all versions through 3.1.1 as affected, and no fixed version is identified in the available references. Administrators should consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the latest patch status and upgrade guidance.
Workarounds
- Deactivate the plugin in wp-admin under Plugins until a vendor patch is published.
- Restrict access to /wp-admin/ to known IP ranges using server-level controls such as .htaccess or Nginx allowlists.
- Enforce a Content Security Policy (CSP) that disallows inline scripts to reduce the impact of reflected XSS payloads.
# Example: deactivate the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate knr-author-list-widget
wp plugin delete knr-author-list-widget
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
