CVE-2025-58261: Mavis HTTPS to HTTP Redirection CSRF

CVE-2025-58261 Overview

CVE-2025-58261 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the Mavis HTTPS to HTTP Redirection WordPress plugin developed by PressPage Entertainment Inc. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit CSRF weaknesses to inject Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) payloads, creating a chained attack vector that can compromise both site administrators and visitors.

Critical Impact

Attackers can leverage CSRF to inject persistent malicious scripts into the WordPress site, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized administrative actions.

Affected Products

• Mavis HTTPS to HTTP Redirection plugin version 1.4.3 and earlier
• WordPress installations using vulnerable versions of the mavis-https-to-http-redirect plugin

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-09-22 - CVE-2025-58261 published to NVD
• 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-58261

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability represents a dangerous combination of two common web security flaws: Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) and Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). The Mavis HTTPS to HTTP Redirection plugin lacks proper CSRF token validation in its administrative forms, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that execute unauthorized actions when an authenticated administrator visits an attacker-controlled page.

The attack chain works as follows: an attacker creates a malicious webpage containing a hidden form that submits to the vulnerable plugin's administrative endpoint. When an authenticated WordPress administrator visits this page, the form automatically submits, storing malicious JavaScript in the plugin's configuration. This stored XSS payload then executes whenever the affected pages are loaded, impacting both administrators and site visitors.

The network-based attack vector requires user interaction (the administrator must visit the malicious page), but the scope is changed since the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component. The stored nature of the XSS makes this particularly dangerous as the malicious payload persists across sessions.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is the absence of proper nonce verification in the plugin's form handling code. WordPress provides the wp_nonce_field() and wp_verify_nonce() functions to protect against CSRF attacks, but the Mavis HTTPS to HTTP Redirection plugin fails to implement these security controls. Additionally, the plugin does not properly sanitize or escape user input before storing it in the database or rendering it in the browser, enabling the Stored XSS component of the attack.

Attack Vector

The attack follows a multi-stage exploitation path:

1. The attacker identifies an administrative endpoint in the plugin that lacks CSRF protection
2. A malicious HTML page is crafted containing a hidden form that auto-submits to the vulnerable endpoint with XSS payload data
3. The attacker tricks an authenticated WordPress administrator into visiting the malicious page (via phishing, social engineering, or embedding in a compromised site)
4. The form submits automatically, injecting the malicious script into the plugin's stored configuration
5. The XSS payload executes whenever administrators or users access pages affected by the plugin's redirection rules

This attack can be used to steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, deface the website, or perform further administrative actions on behalf of the compromised administrator.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-58261

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected JavaScript code appearing in plugin settings or database entries related to mavis-https-to-http-redirect
• Unusual outbound requests from the WordPress site to unknown external domains
• Modified plugin configuration values containing <script> tags or event handlers
• Admin session anomalies or unauthorized configuration changes in WordPress audit logs

Detection Strategies

• Review server access logs for suspicious POST requests to plugin administrative endpoints without proper referrer headers
• Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to detect and block unauthorized script execution
• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to identify CSRF attack patterns and XSS payloads
• Enable WordPress audit logging plugins to track configuration changes

Monitoring Recommendations

• Monitor for changes to plugin settings and database tables associated with the Mavis HTTPS to HTTP Redirection plugin
• Set up alerts for JavaScript execution from unexpected sources or inline scripts
• Regularly scan stored content and plugin configurations for malicious script patterns
• Review WordPress admin activity logs for configuration changes made without corresponding legitimate admin sessions

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-58261

Immediate Actions Required

• Deactivate and remove the Mavis HTTPS to HTTP Redirection plugin immediately if running version 1.4.3 or earlier
• Review plugin settings and database entries for signs of stored XSS payloads
• Audit WordPress admin sessions and force password resets if compromise is suspected
• Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with CSRF and XSS protection rules

Patch Information

As of the vulnerability disclosure, affected users should check the Patchstack vulnerability database for updates on available patches from the plugin developer. Consider switching to an alternative HTTPS redirection solution if no patch is available.

Workarounds

• Disable the plugin until a security update is released by the vendor
• Implement server-level HTTPS redirection via .htaccess or web server configuration as an alternative
• Add custom CSRF protection through WordPress hooks if plugin modification is feasible
• Restrict administrative access to trusted IP addresses to reduce attack surface

# Alternative HTTPS redirection via .htaccess (Apache)
# Add to your WordPress .htaccess file
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} on
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]