CVE-2025-53327 Overview
CVE-2025-53327 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability [CWE-352] in the aioseo-multibyte-descriptions WordPress plugin developed by rui_mashita. The flaw affects all versions from the initial release through 0.0.6. An attacker can craft a malicious web page that triggers unauthorized state-changing requests when an authenticated administrator visits it. Successful exploitation requires user interaction, but no privileges on the target site. The vulnerability allows attackers to modify plugin settings on behalf of a victim user, impacting the integrity of SEO description configurations managed by the plugin.
Critical Impact
Attackers can trick authenticated WordPress administrators into executing unauthorized plugin actions through crafted links or malicious pages, altering site configuration without consent.
Affected Products
- Aioseo Multibyte Descriptions plugin versions through 0.0.6
- WordPress sites running the aioseo-multibyte-descriptions plugin
- Any WordPress installation where an administrator uses the vulnerable plugin
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-06-27 - CVE-2025-53327 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-53327
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from missing or improperly implemented anti-CSRF protections in the Aioseo Multibyte Descriptions plugin. WordPress provides nonce tokens to validate that state-changing requests originate from legitimate user actions. The affected plugin fails to properly verify these tokens on sensitive request handlers. An attacker exploits this by hosting a page containing a forged form or automated request that targets the plugin's endpoints on a vulnerable site. When an authenticated administrator visits the attacker-controlled page, the browser submits the request using the administrator's active session cookies. The server processes the request as legitimate, applying attacker-supplied parameters. The UI:R requirement indicates the victim must interact with attacker-controlled content, typically by clicking a link or loading a page.
Root Cause
The root cause is the absence of proper CSRF token validation on plugin request handlers. WordPress plugins should call check_admin_referer() or wp_verify_nonce() before processing administrative actions. When these checks are missing, browsers automatically attach session cookies to cross-origin requests, allowing forged submissions to succeed.
Attack Vector
An attacker crafts a malicious HTML page containing an auto-submitting form or image tag targeting the vulnerable plugin endpoint. The attacker distributes the link through phishing emails, forum posts, or compromised sites. When an authenticated WordPress administrator loads the page, the browser submits the forged request to the target site using existing authentication cookies. The plugin processes the request as if it originated from the administrator. No credentials are exfiltrated, but plugin settings can be modified without consent.
No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for advisory details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-53327
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected changes to Aioseo Multibyte Descriptions plugin settings in the WordPress admin dashboard
- WordPress access logs showing POST requests to plugin endpoints with external Referer headers
- Administrator sessions producing plugin configuration changes shortly after visiting untrusted external links
Detection Strategies
- Monitor WordPress wp-admin request logs for state-changing POST requests missing valid nonce parameters
- Correlate administrator browsing activity with plugin configuration change events in audit logs
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule to flag requests to plugin endpoints where the Referer or Origin header does not match the site domain
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress audit logging plugins to record all plugin setting changes with user, timestamp, and source IP
- Alert on any modifications to aioseo-multibyte-descriptions plugin options tables in the database
- Review outbound admin activity for anomalous referrers or unexpected cross-origin submissions
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-53327
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate the Aioseo Multibyte Descriptions plugin until a patched version is available
- Audit plugin settings and restore known-good configuration values if tampering is suspected
- Instruct administrators to log out of WordPress before browsing untrusted sites and to avoid clicking unknown links while authenticated
Patch Information
As of the last NVD update on 2026-06-17, no fixed version beyond 0.0.6 has been published in the advisory. Consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the latest remediation status and vendor updates.
Workarounds
- Remove the vulnerable plugin entirely if a patched version is not available
- Enforce strict SameSite=Lax or SameSite=Strict cookie attributes on WordPress session cookies to reduce cross-origin request risk
- Deploy a WAF that inspects Referer and Origin headers on administrative endpoints and blocks mismatched cross-site submissions
- Require re-authentication for sensitive administrative actions using a plugin that adds nonce enforcement or two-factor verification
# Example: disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate aioseo-multibyte-descriptions
wp plugin delete aioseo-multibyte-descriptions
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
