CVE-2025-50047 Overview
CVE-2025-50047 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the webvitaly Sitekit plugin for WordPress [CWE-79]. The flaw affects all versions of Sitekit up to and including version 1.9. Authenticated attackers with low privileges can inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of users who view the affected pages. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, allowing persistent script injection into stored content.
Critical Impact
Stored XSS in the Sitekit WordPress plugin enables authenticated attackers to inject persistent JavaScript payloads. Executed scripts can hijack sessions, steal credentials, or perform actions on behalf of victims including administrators.
Affected Products
- webvitaly Sitekit WordPress plugin
- Versions from n/a through <= 1.9
- WordPress sites with the Sitekit plugin installed and activated
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-06-20 - CVE CVE-2025-50047 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-50047
Vulnerability Analysis
The Sitekit plugin fails to sanitize or escape user-supplied input before rendering it within generated web pages. An authenticated user with sufficient access to inject content through the plugin can embed arbitrary HTML and JavaScript. The payload is stored server-side and executed whenever another user loads the affected page in a browser. Because the scope changes (CVSS S:C), the impact extends beyond the vulnerable component into the broader WordPress site context. User interaction is required, meaning a victim must view the attacker-controlled content for the script to execute.
Root Cause
The underlying weakness is improper neutralization of input during web page generation [CWE-79]. The plugin does not apply WordPress escaping functions such as esc_html(), esc_attr(), or wp_kses() to data before output. This gap allows attacker-controlled markup to be preserved verbatim in rendered HTML, enabling script execution in the context of the rendered page.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access and authenticated low-privilege access to a WordPress site running Sitekit <= 1.9. The attacker submits a crafted payload containing JavaScript through an input field processed by the vulnerable plugin code. The malicious content is stored in the WordPress database. When any other user (including administrators) subsequently views the rendered page, the script executes with that user's session, enabling account takeover, cookie theft, or arbitrary actions within the WordPress admin interface. Technical details are available in the Patchstack Site Kit XSS Vulnerability advisory.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-50047
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected <script>, <iframe>, or event-handler attributes (e.g., onerror=, onload=) in WordPress post, page, or plugin-managed content stored in the database.
- Outbound requests from site visitors to unknown third-party domains sourced from pages rendered by the Sitekit plugin.
- Unauthorized administrative actions originating from legitimate administrator sessions shortly after visiting Sitekit-managed pages.
Detection Strategies
- Audit the wp_posts and plugin-specific tables for HTML tags and JavaScript patterns using SQL queries filtering for <script, javascript:, and common XSS payload indicators.
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) with signatures that detect reflected and stored XSS payload patterns submitted to WordPress endpoints.
- Review web server access logs for POST requests to Sitekit plugin endpoints containing URL-encoded script fragments.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor WordPress plugin inventories and alert on sites running Sitekit <= 1.9.
- Enable Content Security Policy (CSP) reporting to capture inline-script violations that may indicate active exploitation.
- Track administrator session activity for anomalous privilege changes, user creation, or plugin modifications following page views.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-50047
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress deployments with the webvitaly Sitekit plugin installed and record their versions.
- Restrict content-authoring privileges to trusted users only until a patched version is applied.
- Review all content managed by the Sitekit plugin for injected scripts and remove any suspicious entries.
Patch Information
At the time of publication, no vendor-supplied fixed version is identified in the NVD record beyond the <= 1.9 affected range. Consult the Patchstack Site Kit XSS Vulnerability advisory for the latest remediation guidance and apply any released update as soon as it becomes available.
Workarounds
- Deactivate and remove the Sitekit plugin until a patched release is confirmed.
- Deploy a WAF rule blocking POST requests containing <script> tags or JavaScript event handlers targeted at the plugin's endpoints.
- Enforce a strict Content Security Policy that disallows inline scripts to limit the impact of injected payloads.
- Limit the Contributor, Author, and Editor roles to vetted users to reduce the pool of accounts capable of exploitation.
# Configuration example: disable the Sitekit plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate sitekit
wp plugin delete sitekit
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
