CVE-2025-23669 Overview
CVE-2025-23669 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the WP Smart Tooltip WordPress plugin developed by Nurul Amin. The flaw affects all versions of wp-smart-tool-tip up to and including 1.0.0. Authenticated attackers with low privileges can inject malicious JavaScript that persists in the database and executes when other users load affected pages. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 for improper neutralization of input during web page generation.
Critical Impact
Stored XSS allows attackers to hijack administrator sessions, deface content, redirect visitors to malicious sites, and pivot toward full site compromise once a privileged user views injected payloads.
Affected Products
- WP Smart Tooltip plugin for WordPress
- All versions from initial release through 1.0.0
- WordPress sites where wp-smart-tool-tip is installed and activated
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-01-27 - CVE-2025-23669 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-23669
Vulnerability Analysis
The WP Smart Tooltip plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in generated web pages. An authenticated user with contributor-level or similar low privileges can inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript through plugin input fields. The payload is stored in the WordPress database and served to any visitor or administrator who loads a page containing the tooltip.
Because the CVSS scope is changed, the injected script can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component. This means the payload can operate in the browser context of higher-privileged users, enabling session theft and unauthorized administrative actions. User interaction is required, which typically occurs when an administrator views a post or admin page containing the malicious tooltip.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or insufficient output encoding of user-controlled data. The plugin accepts input intended for tooltip content but does not apply WordPress sanitization APIs such as wp_kses_post(), esc_html(), or esc_attr() before storage or rendering. Any HTML tags, including <script> blocks and event handler attributes, pass through into the DOM.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the WordPress site and an authenticated account with permission to create or edit tooltip content. The attacker submits a payload containing JavaScript through the plugin's tooltip configuration. When a victim loads a page rendering the tooltip, the browser executes the attacker's script under the site's origin.
The vulnerability is described in prose only. No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. Technical details are documented in the Patchstack XSS Vulnerability Analysis.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-23669
Indicators of Compromise
- Tooltip content in the WordPress database containing <script> tags, javascript: URIs, or event handler attributes such as onerror and onload
- Unexpected outbound requests from administrator browsers to attacker-controlled domains after loading pages with tooltips
- New or modified administrator accounts created without corresponding audit trail entries
- Injected <iframe> or redirect logic appearing in rendered tooltip HTML
Detection Strategies
- Review the wp_posts and plugin-specific tables for tooltip entries containing HTML tags or JavaScript syntax
- Enable a Content Security Policy (CSP) in report-only mode to surface inline script violations from tooltip rendering
- Correlate WordPress user activity logs with administrator sessions that show anomalous privilege changes
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor plugin installation inventories and flag WordPress sites running wp-smart-tool-tip version 1.0.0 or earlier
- Track HTTP responses containing tooltip markup for unexpected inline script content
- Alert on new WordPress administrator role assignments and API token creation events
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-23669
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate and remove the WP Smart Tooltip plugin until a patched version is confirmed available
- Audit user accounts with contributor privileges or higher and revoke unnecessary access
- Review all existing tooltip content and purge entries containing HTML or JavaScript payloads
- Rotate administrator passwords and invalidate active sessions if exploitation is suspected
Patch Information
At the time of publication, no vendor-supplied patch is referenced in the NVD entry for CVE-2025-23669. The vulnerability affects all versions through 1.0.0. Site owners should consult the Patchstack advisory for updated remediation guidance and monitor the WordPress plugin repository for a fixed release.
Workarounds
- Uninstall the plugin entirely and replace it with a maintained tooltip solution that applies WordPress sanitization APIs
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule to block requests containing script tags targeting plugin endpoints
- Restrict tooltip editing permissions to trusted administrator accounts only
- Enforce a strict Content Security Policy that disallows inline scripts on pages rendering plugin output
# Configuration example: disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate wp-smart-tool-tip
wp plugin delete wp-smart-tool-tip
# Verify removal
wp plugin list | grep wp-smart-tool-tip
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
