Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A WordPress plugin called Shortcode Generator (versions up to 1.1) has a reflected cross-site scripting flaw. An attacker can craft a malicious link that, when clicked by a logged-in user or admin, runs unwanted code in their browser session. Risk is limited to sites still running this little-used plugin.
Executive priority
Treat as a moderate, scoped issue: only material if the affected WordPress plugin is in use. Direct IT/web teams to confirm plugin inventory within the next maintenance window and remove or replace the plugin if found, since no vendor patch is referenced in the cited sources.
Technical view
CVE-2025-49945 is a CWE-79 reflected XSS in the kylegetson "Shortcode Generator" WordPress plugin through version 1.1. CVSS 3.1 base 7.1 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L) reflects unauthenticated network attack with required user interaction and a scope change, allowing script execution in the victim's browser context against the WordPress site.
Likely exposure
Exposure is narrow: only WordPress sites with the kylegetson Shortcode Generator plugin installed at version 1.1 or earlier are affected. The plugin is low-popularity, so most environments will not have it. Sites that do should treat any logged-in administrator as a high-value phishing target for this flaw.
Exploitation context
No public reports of active exploitation and the vulnerability is not listed in CISA KEV. Patchstack catalogs it as a reflected XSS requiring user interaction, typically delivered via a crafted link. No exploit code or in-the-wild campaign is cited in the available sources as of this writing.
Researcher notes
Reflected XSS with scope change (S:C) suggests injected script can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component, typical of WordPress admin contexts. Affected metadata lists "versions: [0]" with defaultStatus "unaffected," which is inconsistent with the description ("n/a through <= 1.1"); rely on the textual range. No CPE, no patched version, and no commit reference provided — confirm fix availability directly with the plugin author or Patchstack advisory.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WordPress sites for the Shortcode Generator (shortcode-generator) plugin and flag any at version 1.1 or earlier.
- Deactivate and remove the plugin if a vendor-supplied fix is not available; check the WordPress.org plugin page for updates.
- Apply WAF rules or virtual patches (e.g., Patchstack, Wordfence) that block reflected XSS payloads against this plugin's endpoints.
- Restrict administrator browsing habits and require admins to avoid clicking unsolicited links into the WordPress admin context.
- Enforce a strict Content Security Policy on the WordPress site to limit inline script execution.
Validation and detection
- Query the plugin inventory (wp-cli or admin dashboard) for shortcode-generator and confirm installed version.
- Review web server and WAF logs for suspicious query strings or referrers targeting shortcode-generator endpoints.
- Confirm the plugin is removed or updated, then re-scan with a vulnerability scanner that consumes Patchstack data.
- Audit recent admin sessions and account changes for signs of session hijack following any suspected click-through.
- Verify CSP and cookie flags (HttpOnly, SameSite) are in place on the WordPress site to limit XSS impact.
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-2025-49945 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.
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:L2.83.7Primary CVE scoreVulnerability 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
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.