CVE-2025-23966 Overview
CVE-2025-23966 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the a-gateway-for-pasargad-bank-on-woocommerce WordPress plugin developed by Ala Falaki. The flaw affects all plugin versions up to and including 2.5.2. The vulnerability results from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, classified under [CWE-79]. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that execute arbitrary JavaScript in the browsers of users who click them. The issue carries a CVSS score of 7.1 and requires user interaction to trigger.
Critical Impact
Attackers can execute arbitrary JavaScript in a victim's browser session, leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the WooCommerce store context.
Affected Products
- WordPress plugin: a Gateway for Pasargad Bank on WooCommerce
- All versions from n/a through 2.5.2
- Vendor: Ala Falaki
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-01-22 - CVE-2025-23966 published to NVD
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-23966
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a reflected XSS flaw in the WooCommerce payment gateway plugin for Pasargad Bank. User-controllable input passed to the plugin is reflected back in HTTP responses without proper sanitization or output encoding. When a victim loads a crafted URL containing malicious script payloads, the browser interprets the reflected content as executable JavaScript within the trusted origin of the WordPress site. The Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) reports a probability of 0.178% as of 2026-05-18, reflecting limited active exploitation signal.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing input neutralization in request parameters processed by the plugin. The plugin echoes user-supplied data into HTML responses without applying WordPress sanitization helpers such as esc_html(), esc_attr(), or wp_kses(). This violates secure output encoding practices required for any data crossing the trust boundary from request to response.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires user interaction. An attacker constructs a URL containing a JavaScript payload in a vulnerable parameter consumed by the plugin. The attacker then delivers this URL through phishing email, malicious advertising, or links on attacker-controlled sites. When an authenticated administrator or customer clicks the link, the payload executes within the WordPress origin. The scope is changed, meaning the compromised script can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component, including session cookies and authenticated WooCommerce actions.
No public proof-of-concept exploit code is currently available. See the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability advisory for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-23966
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP request logs containing <script>, javascript:, onerror=, or onload= patterns in query parameters targeting plugin endpoints.
- Unexpected outbound requests from administrator browsers to attacker-controlled domains following access to plugin URLs.
- Anomalous session activity or new administrator accounts created shortly after suspicious URL access.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for requests containing URL-encoded script tags or event handlers directed at the a-gateway-for-pasargad-bank-on-woocommerce plugin paths.
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules targeting reflected XSS payload signatures in WordPress query strings.
- Correlate browser-side Content Security Policy (CSP) violation reports with WordPress access logs to identify exploitation attempts.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor WordPress audit logs for plugin parameter access patterns containing HTML or JavaScript syntax.
- Track administrator session activity for unexpected POST requests originating from unusual referrers.
- Alert on changes to WooCommerce payment configuration or administrative user roles.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-23966
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress sites running the a Gateway for Pasargad Bank on WooCommerce plugin version 2.5.2 or earlier.
- Disable the plugin until a patched version is installed if the gateway is not actively required.
- Force re-authentication of all administrative accounts to invalidate potentially stolen sessions.
Patch Information
At the time of publication, the vendor advisory indicates the vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 2.5.2. Site operators should consult the Patchstack advisory for the latest fixed version and upgrade once a patched release is published.
Workarounds
- Deploy a WAF policy that blocks requests containing script tags, JavaScript URI schemes, or HTML event handlers in query parameters bound for the plugin.
- Enforce a strict Content Security Policy that disallows inline scripts and restricts script sources to trusted origins.
- Restrict access to the WordPress administration interface using IP allowlists or VPN-only access to reduce the attack surface for administrator-targeted phishing.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
