CVE-2025-3457 Overview
CVE-2025-3457 is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Ocean Extra plugin for WordPress. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 2.4.6. The plugin fails to properly sanitize input and escape output on user-supplied attributes passed to the oceanwp_icon shortcode. Authenticated users with contributor-level access or higher can inject arbitrary JavaScript into pages. The payload executes in the browser of any visitor who views the affected page, enabling session theft, administrative action abuse, or redirection to attacker-controlled infrastructure.
Critical Impact
Low-privileged authors and contributors can plant persistent JavaScript that executes in administrator browsers, leading to account takeover of the WordPress site.
Affected Products
- OceanWP Ocean Extra plugin for WordPress, versions up to and including 2.4.6
- WordPress sites using the oceanwp_icon shortcode
- Deployments allowing contributor-level or higher user registration
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-04-22 - CVE-2025-3457 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-3457
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the oceanwp_icon shortcode handler within the Ocean Extra plugin. The shortcode accepts attributes supplied by content authors and renders them into the HTML output without sufficient sanitization or escaping [CWE-79]. Because WordPress permits contributors to use shortcodes inside posts, an authenticated attacker can embed oceanwp_icon with crafted attribute values that break out of the intended HTML context. The injected script becomes stored content and runs whenever a logged-in reviewer, editor, or administrator opens the post for preview or publication.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing input sanitization and output escaping on user-controlled shortcode attributes. The shortcode callback concatenates attribute values into HTML attributes or inline markup without applying esc_attr(), esc_html(), or a comparable escaping routine. Attribute values containing quotes, angle brackets, or event handlers reach the rendered page unmodified. The upstream fix is tracked in WordPress Changeset 3277977.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires an authenticated session with at least contributor privileges and user interaction from a victim who loads the injected page. The attacker authors a post, embeds the oceanwp_icon shortcode with malicious attribute values that terminate the attribute context and inject a script tag or event handler, and submits the post. When another user, typically a higher-privileged reviewer, previews or approves the content, the script executes under the WordPress origin. The attacker can issue authenticated requests on behalf of the victim, including creating administrator accounts or exfiltrating session cookies if they are not marked HttpOnly.
No verified proof-of-concept code is published. See the Wordfence Vulnerability Report for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-3457
Indicators of Compromise
- Posts or pages containing oceanwp_icon shortcodes with attribute values that include <script>, javascript:, onerror=, onload=, or encoded variants
- Unexpected administrator or editor account creation shortly after a contributor submits content
- Outbound requests from logged-in administrator sessions to unfamiliar external domains while viewing posts
- Modifications to wp_posts entries by contributor-level accounts referencing icon shortcodes
Detection Strategies
- Query the wp_posts table for post_content containing oceanwp_icon combined with HTML control characters such as <, >, or quote characters inside attribute values
- Review Ocean Extra plugin version via wp plugin list and flag any installation at or below 2.4.6
- Inspect web server logs for POST requests to /wp-admin/post.php and /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php from contributor accounts that correlate with later anomalous admin activity
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress audit logging for post edits, user role changes, and plugin modifications
- Monitor administrator browser sessions for unexpected JavaScript errors or Content Security Policy (CSP) violations when previewing contributor content
- Alert on new user registrations assigned administrator or editor roles immediately after contributor post submissions
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-3457
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the Ocean Extra plugin to a version later than 2.4.6 that includes the fix from WordPress Changeset 3277977
- Audit all existing posts and pages for oceanwp_icon shortcode usage containing suspicious attribute payloads and remove them
- Review the WordPress user list for unauthorized accounts added after April 2025 and revoke elevated privileges that cannot be justified
Patch Information
The OceanWP maintainers addressed the shortcode handler through the commit referenced in plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3277977/. The patch adds sanitization and escaping to attribute values before they are rendered. Site administrators should apply the latest Ocean Extra release from the WordPress plugin repository and verify the installed version via the Plugins screen or wp plugin get ocean-extra.
Workarounds
- Restrict the contributor role temporarily so that untrusted users cannot submit posts until the plugin is updated
- Disable the Ocean Extra plugin on sites that do not rely on the oceanwp_icon shortcode until patching is completed
- Enforce a strict Content Security Policy that blocks inline scripts and restricts script sources to trusted origins
- Require editorial review of all contributor submissions in a sandboxed browser profile that does not hold administrator sessions
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.