CVE-2025-2803 Overview
CVE-2025-2803 affects the So-Called Air Quotes plugin for WordPress in all versions up to and including 0.1. The plugin exposes an action that passes user-supplied input to do_shortcode without proper validation. Unauthenticated attackers can invoke arbitrary WordPress shortcodes through this code path. The flaw is categorized under Improper Control of Generation of Code [CWE-94].
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can trigger arbitrary shortcode execution on vulnerable WordPress sites, potentially abusing shortcodes registered by other installed plugins to disclose data, alter content, or affect site availability.
Affected Products
- So-Called Air Quotes plugin for WordPress, all versions through 0.1
- WordPress sites with the plugin active
- Any additional plugins that register shortcodes accessible through do_shortcode
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-03-29 - CVE-2025-2803 published to NVD
- 2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-2803
Vulnerability Analysis
The So-Called Air Quotes plugin registers an action handler that accepts attacker-controlled input and forwards it to the WordPress do_shortcode function. WordPress resolves shortcodes at execution time, meaning any registered shortcode on the site becomes reachable through this path. Because the handler does not require authentication, the attack vector is network-based and requires no user interaction.
The vulnerability falls under CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code. Impact varies based on which shortcodes are registered on the target site. Shortcodes that read database content, render administrative information, or perform privileged actions become exploitable proxies for unauthenticated access.
The EPSS score is 0.548% with a percentile of 68.1, reflecting moderate predicted exploitation interest. The plugin source code is available in the WordPress Plugin SVN repository.
Root Cause
The plugin invokes do_shortcode on a request parameter without sanitization, validation against an allowlist, or capability checks. WordPress treats the resulting string as a shortcode expression and executes any matching handler registered in the global shortcode table.
Attack Vector
An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to the vulnerable action endpoint, supplying a shortcode expression as input. The plugin executes the expression server-side and returns or processes its output. No credentials, session, or user interaction are required. See the Wordfence vulnerability report for technical detail on the affected code path.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-2803
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to the plugin's action handler containing shortcode syntax such as [...] in request parameters
- Unexpected output from registered shortcodes appearing in web server response logs
- Access log entries referencing airquote.php or the plugin's AJAX action from unauthenticated sources
- Anomalous invocation of shortcodes that normally render only on authenticated pages
Detection Strategies
- Inspect WordPress access logs for admin-ajax.php calls referencing the So-Called Air Quotes action with bracketed payloads
- Enable WordPress debug logging to capture unexpected do_shortcode invocations and trace originating requests
- Deploy web application firewall rules that flag shortcode patterns in unauthenticated POST and GET parameters
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor outbound network traffic from the WordPress host for unexpected connections triggered by shortcode execution
- Audit the list of registered shortcodes on production sites and identify those with sensitive side effects
- Alert on new or modified files within wp-content/plugins/so-called-air-quotes/ and adjacent plugin directories
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-2803
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate and remove the So-Called Air Quotes plugin until a patched version is published
- Audit all installed plugins for shortcodes that perform sensitive operations and restrict their use
- Review WordPress access logs for prior exploitation attempts targeting the plugin endpoint
- Rotate credentials and API keys if log review indicates that sensitive shortcodes were invoked
Patch Information
No fixed version is listed at the time of publication. Refer to the WordPress plugin developer page for updates and the Wordfence advisory for current remediation status.
Workarounds
- Remove the plugin entirely if no patched release is available
- Block requests to the vulnerable plugin action at the web application firewall or reverse proxy layer
- Restrict access to admin-ajax.php for unauthenticated users where operationally feasible
- Disable or unregister high-risk shortcodes using remove_shortcode() in a custom mu-plugin while the issue remains unpatched
# Remove the vulnerable plugin from a WordPress installation
wp plugin deactivate so-called-air-quotes
wp plugin delete so-called-air-quotes
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
