CVE-2025-62745 Overview
CVE-2025-62745 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the PickPlugins Team Showcase plugin for WordPress. The flaw affects all versions through 1.22.28 and stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation [CWE-79]. Authenticated attackers with low-level privileges can inject malicious scripts that persist in the database and execute in the browsers of other users viewing affected pages. The vulnerability requires user interaction and operates across a security scope change, allowing injected payloads to impact users beyond the attacker's privilege boundary.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can inject persistent JavaScript that executes in administrator and visitor browsers, enabling session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized administrative actions.
Affected Products
- PickPlugins Team Showcase plugin for WordPress
- All versions from initial release through 1.22.28
- WordPress sites running the vulnerable plugin with contributor-level or higher accounts
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-05-25 - CVE-2025-62745 published to NVD
- 2026-05-26 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-62745
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a stored XSS flaw classified under [CWE-79]. The Team Showcase plugin fails to properly sanitize and escape user-supplied input before storing it and rendering it in generated web pages. Attackers with authenticated access to plugin functionality can submit input containing JavaScript payloads. The plugin persists this data and later returns it to other users without adequate output encoding.
The attack succeeds over the network and requires low privileges plus user interaction. The scope change indicator means injected scripts execute in a security context different from the vulnerable component, typically the browser session of an administrator or visitor viewing the team showcase content.
Root Cause
The plugin does not apply WordPress sanitization functions such as wp_kses_post(), sanitize_text_field(), or context-appropriate escaping like esc_html() and esc_attr() on team member data fields. Input flows directly from form submissions into database storage and then into rendered HTML output. This bypasses the layered defense model WordPress provides for plugin developers.
Attack Vector
An attacker with at least contributor-level access submits crafted payloads into team member fields supported by the plugin. The malicious content stores in the WordPress database. When an administrator or site visitor loads a page containing the affected team showcase shortcode or widget, the unsanitized payload executes in their browser. Attackers can exfiltrate session cookies, perform CSRF actions on behalf of authenticated users, redirect victims to phishing pages, or pivot to administrative account takeover.
No public proof-of-concept exploit is currently available. Refer to the Patchstack XSS Vulnerability Advisory for additional technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-62745
Indicators of Compromise
- Team member entries containing HTML tags such as <script>, <svg>, <img onerror=>, or <iframe> in WordPress post meta
- Unexpected outbound requests from administrator browsers to attacker-controlled domains after visiting team showcase pages
- New or modified administrator accounts following access to pages rendering the plugin output
- Database rows in wp_postmeta associated with team showcase content containing JavaScript event handlers
Detection Strategies
- Audit the WordPress database for stored team showcase entries containing script tags or JavaScript event handlers using SQL queries against wp_postmeta and wp_posts
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) rule set that flags <script> and event handler patterns submitted through plugin form endpoints
- Enable WordPress activity logging to capture plugin data submissions tied to specific user accounts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor authenticated user submissions to plugin administrative endpoints for HTML or JavaScript content
- Alert on Content Security Policy (CSP) violation reports referencing inline script execution on pages using the plugin
- Track creation of new administrator-role accounts and unexpected privilege changes following plugin page access
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-62745
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the PickPlugins Team Showcase plugin to a version later than 1.22.28 once a vendor patch is published
- Restrict contributor and author account creation and review existing low-privilege accounts for suspicious activity
- Purge any team showcase entries that contain HTML markup, script tags, or JavaScript event handlers
- Force password resets for administrator accounts that have viewed affected pages since the plugin was installed
Patch Information
The vulnerability affects Team Showcase versions through 1.22.28. Consult the Patchstack XSS Vulnerability Advisory for current patch availability and apply the fixed version as soon as the vendor releases it.
Workarounds
- Deactivate the Team Showcase plugin until a patched version is available
- Apply a virtual patch through a WAF that blocks HTML tags and JavaScript event handlers in plugin form submissions
- Implement a strict Content Security Policy that disallows inline scripts on pages rendering team showcase content
- Limit plugin configuration access to trusted administrator accounts only
# Example Content Security Policy header to block inline script execution
Header set Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'; object-src 'none'; base-uri 'self'"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
