CVE-2025-6247 Overview
CVE-2025-6247 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability affecting the WordPress Automatic Plugin for WordPress. The flaw exists in all versions up to and including 3.118.0. The vulnerability stems from missing or incorrect nonce validation on one of the plugin's functions [CWE-80]. Unauthenticated attackers can update campaigns and inject malicious web scripts through forged requests. Successful exploitation requires tricking a site administrator into clicking a crafted link or visiting an attacker-controlled page.
Critical Impact
Attackers can modify plugin campaigns and inject malicious scripts into the WordPress site through administrator-initiated forged requests, enabling stored script injection with a single click.
Affected Products
- WordPress Automatic Plugin versions up to and including 3.118.0
- WordPress sites running vulnerable installations of the plugin
- Administrator sessions authenticated to affected WordPress instances
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-08-26 - CVE-2025-6247 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-6247
Vulnerability Analysis
The WordPress Automatic Plugin automates content posting from external sources into WordPress sites. The plugin exposes an administrative function that updates campaign configurations without validating a WordPress nonce token. This absence of anti-CSRF protection allows external origins to submit state-changing requests that the browser executes with the administrator's session cookies.
An attacker crafts a malicious page containing a form or script targeting the vulnerable endpoint. When an authenticated administrator visits the page, the browser sends the forged request with valid session credentials. The plugin processes the request as legitimate and updates campaign data. Because the update path also accepts script content, the attacker can inject malicious JavaScript that executes in the context of subsequent site visitors [CWE-80].
The attack requires user interaction and depends on the administrator having an active session, which raises the attack complexity. Exploitation does not require credentials or prior access to the target WordPress instance.
Root Cause
The vulnerable function lacks a wp_verify_nonce() check or applies nonce validation incorrectly. WordPress provides nonces specifically to bind sensitive requests to an authenticated session and origin. Without this validation, the plugin cannot distinguish legitimate administrator actions from cross-origin forged submissions.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires user interaction. An attacker hosts a page containing an auto-submitting HTML form or fetch() call that targets the vulnerable campaign update endpoint on the victim WordPress site. The attacker delivers the link through phishing, social engineering, or a compromised third-party site. When the administrator loads the page while authenticated to WordPress, the browser forwards session cookies and the request succeeds. The injected script content persists in campaign configuration and executes when the campaign renders content. Refer to the Wordfence Vulnerability Report for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-6247
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected modifications to WordPress Automatic Plugin campaign configurations without corresponding administrator activity in audit logs
- Presence of <script> tags or JavaScript payloads within campaign fields
- HTTP POST requests to plugin administrative endpoints containing external Referer headers
- Outbound connections from site visitors to unfamiliar domains after campaign content renders
Detection Strategies
- Monitor WordPress wp-admin requests for missing or absent _wpnonce parameters on plugin update actions
- Correlate campaign configuration changes with authenticated administrator session timelines to identify anomalous edits
- Inspect the Referer header on plugin administrative POST requests for cross-origin values
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress audit logging to capture all plugin configuration changes with user, timestamp, and source IP
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule to flag POST requests to WordPress Automatic Plugin endpoints lacking valid nonce parameters
- Alert on new outbound script sources appearing in rendered post or campaign content
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-6247
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the WordPress Automatic Plugin to a version later than 3.118.0 once the vendor releases a patched release
- Restrict WordPress administrator accounts to dedicated browser sessions that are not used for general web browsing
- Review campaign configurations for injected script content and remove any unauthorized payloads
Patch Information
The vendor distributes the WordPress Automatic Plugin through CodeCanyon. Review the CodeCanyon Plugin Information page and the Wordfence Vulnerability Report for the current fixed version. Apply the update through the WordPress plugin management interface after backing up the site.
Workarounds
- Temporarily deactivate the WordPress Automatic Plugin until an updated version is installed
- Enforce SameSite cookie attributes on WordPress session cookies to reduce cross-origin request submission
- Require administrators to log out of WordPress before browsing untrusted content
- Deploy a WAF policy blocking POST requests to plugin administrative endpoints that lack a valid _wpnonce parameter
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
