CVE-2025-5930 Overview
CVE-2025-5930 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability affecting the WP2HTML plugin for WordPress in all versions up to and including 1.0.2. The flaw stems from missing or incorrect nonce validation on the plugin's save() function. Unauthenticated attackers can update plugin settings by tricking a site administrator into clicking a crafted link or visiting an attacker-controlled page. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-352] Cross-Site Request Forgery. Exploitation requires user interaction from a privileged user, which limits the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk in targeted phishing scenarios.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation allows unauthenticated attackers to modify WP2HTML plugin settings on affected WordPress sites when an administrator is tricked into activating a forged request.
Affected Products
- WP2HTML plugin for WordPress, all versions through 1.0.2
- WordPress sites running the vulnerable plugin with active administrator sessions
- Any WordPress deployment that has not applied the upstream plugin fix
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-06-13 - CVE-2025-5930 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-5930
Vulnerability Analysis
The WP2HTML plugin exposes a settings handler through its save() function without enforcing proper request authenticity. WordPress provides a nonce mechanism, wp_verify_nonce() and check_admin_referer(), to bind sensitive state-changing requests to a specific user session. The plugin either omits this check or implements it incorrectly. As a result, an attacker can craft an HTML form or image tag hosted on an external site that submits a POST request to the vulnerable settings endpoint. When an authenticated administrator visits the attacker-controlled page, the browser automatically attaches the WordPress session cookie, and the plugin processes the forged request as legitimate. The scope of change is limited to plugin settings, which is why the confidentiality and availability impact remain none while integrity is affected.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing nonce validation in the save() function of the WP2HTML plugin. WordPress plugins that handle administrative actions must validate a nonce token tied to the user session before applying state changes. Without this check, the plugin cannot distinguish between a request initiated by an administrator inside the admin dashboard and a request forged by a third-party origin.
Attack Vector
The attack requires an authenticated administrator on the target WordPress site to interact with an attacker-controlled resource, such as a link in a phishing email or a malicious webpage. The forged request executes with the administrator's privileges and modifies plugin configuration. The attacker does not need credentials or prior access to the target site. Technical details are available in the Wordfence Vulnerability Report and the corresponding WordPress Plugin Changeset.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-5930
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected changes to WP2HTML plugin settings recorded in WordPress audit logs
- HTTP POST requests to the plugin's settings endpoint originating with a Referer header pointing to an external, untrusted domain
- Administrator account activity correlating with visits to unfamiliar external URLs
Detection Strategies
- Review WordPress activity logs for plugin settings modifications that do not correspond to legitimate administrator sessions
- Inspect web server access logs for POST requests to WP2HTML admin endpoints missing valid nonce parameters
- Compare current plugin configuration against a known-good baseline to identify unauthorized changes
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable a WordPress audit logging plugin to record all administrative configuration changes
- Monitor outbound clicks from administrator accounts through email and web gateway telemetry
- Alert on plugin configuration changes that occur outside of expected maintenance windows
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-5930
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the WP2HTML plugin to a version later than 1.0.2 that includes the nonce validation fix from the WordPress Plugin Changeset
- Deactivate and remove the WP2HTML plugin if an updated version is not yet available and the plugin is not actively required
- Audit recent plugin settings changes and revert any unauthorized modifications
Patch Information
The fix is committed in the WordPress plugin repository at changeset 3339090. Administrators should upgrade the WP2HTML plugin through the WordPress admin dashboard or by pulling the latest version from the official plugin repository. Verify the installed version reports higher than 1.0.2 after the update.
Workarounds
- Restrict administrator browsing habits and enforce a policy of logging out of WordPress admin sessions when not in use
- Deploy a web application firewall rule to block POST requests to WP2HTML settings endpoints that lack a valid Referer header from the site's own domain
- Require administrators to use a dedicated browser or browser profile for WordPress administration to reduce cross-origin risk
# Example WordPress CLI command to check installed WP2HTML version and update
wp plugin get wp2html --field=version
wp plugin update wp2html
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
