CVE-2025-50045 Overview
CVE-2025-50045 is a DOM-based Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the ProWCPlugins Related Products Manager for WooCommerce plugin. The flaw affects all versions from initial release through 1.6.2. Attackers can inject arbitrary JavaScript that executes in a victim's browser context after user interaction. The vulnerability is categorized under [CWE-79] Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the victim's browser, potentially leading to session theft, credential harvesting, or unauthorized actions on the WordPress site.
Affected Products
- ProWCPlugins Related Products Manager for WooCommerce plugin
- All versions up to and including 1.6.2
- WordPress sites running vulnerable plugin installations
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-06-20 - CVE-2025-50045 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-50045
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of user-controlled input during web page generation in the Related Products Manager for WooCommerce plugin. Client-side JavaScript within the plugin writes attacker-controlled data into the Document Object Model (DOM) without adequate sanitization or output encoding. This creates a DOM-based XSS sink that executes injected script in the victim's browser.
Exploitation requires low privileges and user interaction, and the attack traverses a security scope boundary. This means executed script can affect resources beyond the immediate vulnerable component, expanding the effective impact of a successful attack.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or incorrect sanitization of input rendered into the DOM by the plugin's client-side code. When user-supplied values reach a sensitive sink such as innerHTML, document.write, or jQuery .html() without encoding, browsers parse the payload as executable markup. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the specific sink details.
Attack Vector
An authenticated attacker with low-privileged access crafts a payload that reaches a DOM sink in the plugin. When another user visits a page that renders the tainted data, the browser executes the injected script. Typical outcomes include session cookie exfiltration, admin action forgery through CSRF-style requests, and redirection to attacker-controlled infrastructure.
No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. The vulnerability manifests when unsanitized attacker input flows into a client-side rendering function within the plugin. See the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for advisory details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-50045
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected <script> tags or event handler attributes rendered in Related Products Manager output on the storefront
- Outbound requests from user browsers to unfamiliar domains originating from WooCommerce product pages
- WordPress administrative actions performed from unusual IP addresses shortly after admin users viewed related-product content
- Modifications to plugin settings or product metadata without corresponding audit trail entries
Detection Strategies
- Inventory WordPress installations and identify sites running Related Products Manager for WooCommerce version 1.6.2 or earlier
- Review web server logs for suspicious query parameters containing JavaScript keywords such as onerror, onload, javascript:, or encoded script tags
- Deploy Content Security Policy (CSP) reporting to capture script violations on WooCommerce pages
- Scan plugin database tables for stored values containing HTML or script fragments
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress audit logging to track configuration changes made by low-privileged accounts
- Monitor browser-side telemetry for anomalous script execution on product pages
- Alert on new administrator account creation or role changes following visits to affected pages
- Track outbound network connections from admin browser sessions to unrecognized hosts
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-50045
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress sites running Related Products Manager for WooCommerce and confirm plugin versions
- Deactivate the plugin on affected sites until a patched version is installed
- Rotate credentials and session tokens for administrator accounts that accessed affected pages
- Review WooCommerce product data and plugin settings for injected content
Patch Information
The vendor advisory tracked by Patchstack lists versions through 1.6.2 as vulnerable. Site administrators should apply the vendor-supplied fix as soon as a patched release becomes available. Consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the current patched version.
Workarounds
- Restrict access to plugin configuration screens to trusted administrators only
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule set that blocks common XSS payload patterns targeting WooCommerce endpoints
- Implement a strict Content Security Policy that disallows inline script execution on storefront pages
- Disable the plugin if patching is not feasible in the short term
# Example Content Security Policy header for WooCommerce sites
Header set Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'; object-src 'none'; base-uri 'self'; frame-ancestors 'self'"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
