Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This vulnerability affects the WordPress WP IMAP Auth plugin through version 4.0.1. A crafted request could cause a victim’s browser to run attacker-controlled script. Business impact depends on where the plugin is deployed and who can be lured into interacting with the affected page.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority WordPress plugin exposure review. It is not confirmed as actively exploited, but the unauthenticated reflected XSS characteristics can create account, content, or session risk if administrators are targeted.
Technical view
CVE-2025-23506 is a reflected XSS issue, CWE-79, in imsoftware WP IMAP Auth. The CVSS 3.1 score is 7.1 with network access, low complexity, no privileges required, and user interaction required. The source bundle does not identify a fixed version or detailed vulnerable parameter.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to WordPress sites running the WP IMAP Auth plugin, package wp-imap-authentication, at versions through 4.0.1. Sites not using this plugin are not indicated as affected by the source bundle.
Exploitation context
The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or other evidence of active exploitation. The CVSS vector indicates exploitation is remote and unauthenticated but requires user interaction, consistent with reflected XSS risk.
Researcher notes
Evidence is sparse. The bundle provides the affected plugin, version range, CWE, CVSS vector, and Patchstack reference, but not vulnerable parameters, proof-of-concept details, or a fixed release. Avoid asserting exploitability beyond user-interaction reflected XSS.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WordPress sites for WP IMAP Auth versions through 4.0.1.
- Check Patchstack and vendor guidance for a fixed version or official mitigation.
- If no fix is available, evaluate disabling or removing the plugin.
- Prioritize sites with public access or privileged WordPress administrators.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether wp-imap-authentication is installed on each WordPress site.
- Record installed plugin version and compare against the affected range.
- Review Patchstack and CVE records for updated remediation details.
- Check web logs for suspicious requests once vulnerable surfaces are identified.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-79: User-session and phishing behavior lookup
Client-side and session-facing weaknesses should be reviewed alongside initial-access and user-execution behaviors. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2025-23506 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.1 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
SSVC decision data
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L2.83.7PatchstackVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.1HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
ADP provider summaries
Source materials
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.