CVE-2025-46497: Navegg Analytics CSRF Vulnerability

CVE-2025-46497 Overview

CVE-2025-46497 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the Navegg Analytics WordPress plugin that enables attackers to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks. This chained vulnerability allows malicious actors to trick authenticated administrators into unknowingly submitting malicious requests that inject persistent JavaScript code into the WordPress site.

The vulnerability exists in Navegg Analytics plugin versions through 3.3.3, affecting WordPress sites that utilize this analytics integration. By combining CSRF with Stored XSS, attackers can achieve persistent code execution in victims' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, and complete site compromise.

Critical Impact

This CSRF-to-Stored-XSS vulnerability chain allows attackers to persistently inject malicious scripts into WordPress sites, potentially compromising all site visitors and administrators.

Affected Products

• Navegg Analytics WordPress Plugin versions up to and including 3.3.3
• WordPress installations using vulnerable Navegg Analytics plugin versions

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-04-24 - CVE-2025-46497 published to NVD
• 2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-46497

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability represents a dangerous chaining of two web application security flaws. The Navegg Analytics plugin fails to implement proper CSRF token validation on sensitive administrative actions, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that administrators can be tricked into executing. When combined with insufficient input sanitization, this leads to Stored XSS where malicious JavaScript payloads are persisted in the WordPress database and executed whenever the affected page is loaded.

The absence of nonce verification in the plugin's form handling routines means that any authenticated administrator who visits a malicious page controlled by an attacker can unknowingly execute arbitrary actions within the plugin's settings. This architectural weakness bypasses the same-origin policy protections that browsers normally provide.

Root Cause

The root cause is a failure to implement CSRF protection mechanisms (CWE-352) in the Navegg Analytics plugin's administrative interfaces. WordPress provides built-in nonce functionality through wp_nonce_field() and wp_verify_nonce() functions, but the vulnerable plugin versions do not properly utilize these security controls. Additionally, the plugin lacks proper output encoding and input validation, allowing the injected payloads to be stored and later rendered as executable code.

Attack Vector

An attacker exploits this vulnerability by crafting a malicious HTML page or email containing a hidden form or JavaScript that automatically submits a request to the vulnerable plugin endpoint. When an authenticated WordPress administrator visits this malicious page, their browser automatically includes their authentication cookies with the forged request, causing the malicious payload to be processed as if it were a legitimate action.

The attack flow involves social engineering to get an authenticated admin to visit the attacker-controlled page, automatic submission of the CSRF payload containing XSS code, storage of the malicious script in the WordPress database through the plugin's settings, and execution of the stored script whenever any user views the affected page.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-46497

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected JavaScript code in Navegg Analytics plugin configuration settings
• Suspicious <script> tags or event handlers stored in WordPress options related to navegg
• Unusual outbound requests to unknown domains from the WordPress admin panel
• Administrator sessions being hijacked or unauthorized administrative actions

Detection Strategies

• Review WordPress database entries for the Navegg Analytics plugin for any suspicious JavaScript or HTML content
• Monitor web server access logs for unusual POST requests to plugin settings pages from external referrers
• Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to detect and block unauthorized script execution
• Use WordPress security plugins that detect unauthorized option changes

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable audit logging for all WordPress administrative actions and plugin setting changes
• Configure alerts for modifications to analytics-related plugin configurations
• Monitor for new administrator accounts or privilege escalations that may indicate post-exploitation activity
• Review HTTP referrer headers in access logs for requests to plugin settings pages

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-46497

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the Navegg Analytics plugin to a patched version if available from the vendor
• If no patch is available, consider deactivating and removing the Navegg Analytics plugin until a fix is released
• Review and audit current plugin settings for any injected malicious content
• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block CSRF and XSS attack patterns
• Educate administrators about the risks of clicking unknown links while logged into WordPress

Patch Information

Users should consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the latest information on available patches and remediation guidance. Monitor the official WordPress plugin repository for updated versions of Navegg Analytics that address this vulnerability.

Workarounds

• Remove or deactivate the Navegg Analytics plugin until a security patch is available
• Implement additional CSRF protection at the web server or WAF level
• Restrict access to the WordPress admin panel using IP whitelisting or VPN requirements
• Use browser extensions that block automatic form submissions to reduce CSRF attack surface
• Consider alternative analytics solutions that have been recently audited for security

# WordPress CLI commands to check plugin status and deactivate if necessary
wp plugin list --status=active | grep navegg
wp plugin deactivate navegg

# Check WordPress options table for suspicious content
wp db query "SELECT * FROM wp_options WHERE option_name LIKE '%navegg%';"