CVE-2025-25153: Simple Auto Tag CSRF Vulnerability

CVE-2025-25153 Overview

CVE-2025-25153 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability affecting the WordPress Simple Auto Tag plugin by djjmz. This vulnerability enables attackers to exploit CSRF weaknesses to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application, resulting in Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). The vulnerability chain allows unauthenticated attackers to trick authenticated administrators into executing unintended actions, ultimately leading to persistent script injection.

Critical Impact

This CSRF to Stored XSS vulnerability chain allows attackers to inject persistent malicious scripts into WordPress sites, potentially compromising administrator sessions and site integrity.

Affected Products

• WordPress Simple Auto Tag plugin version 1.1 and earlier
• All installations running Simple Auto Tag from n/a through version 1.1

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-02-07 - CVE CVE-2025-25153 published to NVD
• 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-25153

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability combines two distinct weaknesses in a chained attack scenario. The Simple Auto Tag plugin fails to implement proper CSRF token validation on critical administrative functions, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that execute actions on behalf of authenticated administrators. When combined with insufficient input sanitization, this enables attackers to store malicious JavaScript code within the plugin's settings or data fields.

The attack requires user interaction, specifically tricking an authenticated WordPress administrator into clicking a malicious link or visiting a compromised page. Once triggered, the malicious payload is stored persistently in the WordPress database, executing whenever the affected content is rendered. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-352 (Cross-Site Request Forgery).

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is twofold: the absence of CSRF nonce verification in the plugin's form handling functions, and insufficient output encoding and input validation when processing user-supplied data. The Simple Auto Tag plugin does not properly utilize WordPress security functions such as wp_nonce_field() and wp_verify_nonce() to protect administrative actions, nor does it adequately sanitize and escape data before storage and display.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and requires social engineering to lure an authenticated administrator to interact with a malicious page. The attacker crafts an HTML page containing a hidden form or JavaScript that automatically submits a request to the vulnerable plugin endpoint. When the administrator visits this page while logged into WordPress, the forged request executes with their privileges, injecting malicious script content that persists in the database.

The vulnerability chain works as follows: An attacker hosts a malicious webpage containing a forged form submission targeting the Simple Auto Tag plugin's settings endpoint. When an authenticated WordPress administrator visits this page, the browser automatically sends the request with the administrator's session cookies, bypassing authentication. Because the plugin lacks CSRF protection, it processes the request and stores the attacker's payload, which includes JavaScript code that executes whenever the stored content is rendered in the WordPress admin panel or frontend.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-25153

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected modifications to Simple Auto Tag plugin settings or configuration
• Suspicious JavaScript code appearing in plugin-related database tables
• Unusual outbound network requests from WordPress admin pages
• Administrator session anomalies or unauthorized administrative actions

Detection Strategies

• Monitor WordPress database tables associated with the Simple Auto Tag plugin for unexpected script tags or JavaScript content
• Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to detect and block unauthorized script execution
• Review server access logs for suspicious POST requests to plugin endpoints from external referrers
• Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect CSRF attack patterns targeting WordPress plugins

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable WordPress audit logging to track administrative changes to plugin settings
• Configure alerts for modifications to the Simple Auto Tag plugin configuration
• Monitor for cross-origin form submissions targeting WordPress administrative endpoints
• Implement real-time scanning for stored XSS payloads within WordPress content

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-25153

Immediate Actions Required

• Deactivate and remove the Simple Auto Tag plugin version 1.1 or earlier until a patched version is available
• Review Simple Auto Tag plugin settings and database entries for any injected malicious scripts
• Audit WordPress administrator accounts for signs of compromise or unauthorized access
• Implement additional CSRF protections at the web server or WAF level

Patch Information

As of the published CVE data, no official patch has been released for this vulnerability. Users should monitor the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for updates on remediation status. Consider replacing the plugin with a security-audited alternative that provides similar auto-tagging functionality.

Workarounds

• Disable the Simple Auto Tag plugin until an official security update is released
• Restrict access to WordPress admin panel to trusted IP addresses using .htaccess or server configuration
• Implement a Web Application Firewall with CSRF and XSS protection rules
• Use browser extensions or security plugins that block cross-site request forgery attempts

# WordPress .htaccess restriction example for admin access
<Files wp-login.php>
    Order Deny,Allow
    Deny from all
    Allow from YOUR_TRUSTED_IP
</Files>