CVE-2025-48286: ReDi Restaurant Reservation XSS Flaw

CVE-2025-48286 Overview

CVE-2025-48286 is a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the ReDi Restaurant Reservation WordPress plugin developed by catkin. This improper neutralization of input during web page generation allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in victims' browsers when they interact with specially crafted URLs.

Critical Impact

Attackers can execute arbitrary JavaScript in users' browsers, potentially stealing session cookies, credentials, or performing actions on behalf of authenticated administrators.

Affected Products

• ReDi Restaurant Reservation WordPress plugin versions through 24.1209
• WordPress installations using the redi-restaurant-reservation plugin

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-05-23 - CVE-2025-48286 published to NVD
• 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-48286

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation), commonly known as Cross-Site Scripting. The ReDi Restaurant Reservation plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before reflecting it back in the rendered HTML output. This allows attackers to craft malicious URLs containing JavaScript payloads that execute when unsuspecting users click on them.

The attack requires user interaction, as victims must click on a malicious link or visit a page controlled by the attacker. When executed, the injected script runs within the security context of the vulnerable WordPress site, giving attackers access to session tokens, cookies, and the ability to perform actions as the victim user.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is insufficient input validation and output encoding in the ReDi Restaurant Reservation plugin. User-controlled input is reflected directly into HTML responses without proper sanitization or encoding, allowing specially crafted payloads to break out of the intended data context and execute as active script content.

Attack Vector

This is a network-based attack that requires no authentication but does require user interaction. An attacker typically delivers the exploit by:

1. Crafting a malicious URL containing JavaScript payload parameters
2. Distributing the URL via phishing emails, social media, or compromised websites
3. When a victim clicks the link, the malicious script executes in their browser session
4. The script can then steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing pages, or perform unauthorized actions

The attack mechanism involves injecting script tags or JavaScript event handlers through vulnerable input parameters that are reflected in the page output without proper encoding. For detailed technical information, see the Patchstack security advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-48286

Indicators of Compromise

• Suspicious URLs containing encoded JavaScript payloads targeting the ReDi Restaurant Reservation plugin endpoints
• Unexpected script execution or redirects originating from WordPress reservation pages
• User reports of phishing attempts using your domain's restaurant reservation URLs
• Web application firewall logs showing XSS attack patterns against reservation-related parameters

Detection Strategies

• Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block XSS payloads in URL parameters
• Monitor server access logs for requests containing script tags, JavaScript event handlers, or encoded payloads targeting reservation endpoints
• Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution sources
• Use browser-based XSS auditors and security tools during penetration testing

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for all WordPress plugin activity, particularly the ReDi Restaurant Reservation plugin
• Configure alerts for unusual patterns in user session behavior following reservation page visits
• Monitor for outbound connections to unknown domains that could indicate data exfiltration
• Review HTTP referrer logs for suspicious external sources directing traffic to reservation pages

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-48286

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the ReDi Restaurant Reservation plugin to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability
• Review WordPress admin accounts for any unauthorized changes or suspicious activity
• Audit user sessions and consider forcing password resets for administrative accounts
• Implement Content Security Policy headers to provide an additional layer of XSS protection

Patch Information

Check for updates to the ReDi Restaurant Reservation plugin through the WordPress admin dashboard or visit the Patchstack vulnerability database for the latest patch information. Versions through 24.1209 are confirmed vulnerable.

Workarounds

• Temporarily disable the ReDi Restaurant Reservation plugin until a patch is applied
• Implement WAF rules to filter malicious XSS payloads targeting reservation endpoints
• Restrict access to the WordPress admin area using IP whitelisting
• Consider using a managed WordPress hosting solution with built-in XSS protection

# Add Content Security Policy header to Apache configuration
# Add to .htaccess or Apache config file
Header set Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'; style-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline'"

# For Nginx, add to server block
# add_header Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'; style-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline'";