اسم البرنامج الإضافي	Include Me
Type of Vulnerability	البرمجة النصية عبر المواقع (XSS)
CVE Number	CVE-2025-58983
الاستعجال	قليل
CVE Publish Date	2025-09-09
Source URL	CVE-2025-58983

Include Me Plugin (≤1.3.2) XSS: What WordPress Site Owners Must Do Right Now

A recently disclosed Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the “Include Me” WordPress plugin (versions up to and including 1.3.2, fixed in 1.3.3, CVE-2025-58983) is important for site administrators and developers to understand. In this post we explain what the vulnerability means, who is affected, realistic attack scenarios, safe remediation steps, long-term hardening guidance, and how managed firewall/virtual-patching can reduce exposure while you update.

We’re writing as an experienced WordPress security team with years of hands-on incident response, WAF rule development, and secure plugin guidance. This is practical, actionable, and deliberately written for site owners and technical teams — not as a dry CVE entry.

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Executive summary (the tl;dr)

• Vulnerability: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) in Include Me plugin ≤ 1.3.2 (CVE-2025-58983).
• Required privilege (as reported): Administrator.
• Impact: Stored XSS allowing injection of JavaScript/HTML which may execute when site visitors or other admin accounts visit affected pages.
• Severity / score: CVSS reported ~5.9 (medium/low depending on context), but real impact depends on how the plugin is used.
• Fixed in: 1.3.3 — update immediately if you run this plugin.
• If you cannot update now: deploy WAF/virtual patching rules, restrict admin access, enforce monitoring and containment.

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Why XSS still matters (even if it “only” needs an admin)

At first glance, an XSS requiring an administrator to input malicious content may seem low-risk. But in the wild, administrative accounts are often targeted or already compromised. Consider:

• Compromised admin credentials are increasingly common due to password reuse, phishing, or earlier unrelated breaches.
• XSS that’s stored in site content can be leveraged to escalate compromise: deliver phishing pages, install scripts that load backdoors, create rogue admin users, or inject malicious code into pages that are cached and served widely.
• Attackers automate scanning and will chain multiple vulnerabilities or social engineering techniques. Once XSS payloads are in the content, the blast radius can be large.

So even when the initial bar appears high, the actual risk for any site exposed to the open web is non-trivial.

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What the vulnerability can do (realistic attack scenarios)

Stored XSS vulnerabilities allow arbitrary HTML/JS to be stored by the application and then executed in the context of other users’ browsers. Potential results include:

• Session hijacking (if cookies are not flagged HttpOnly) or token exfiltration when combined with other weaknesses.
• Silent JavaScript-based admin takeover workflows: create new admin accounts, change existing passwords, inject persistent backdoors or connectors to remote C2 infrastructure.
• SEO and reputational damage (spam content insertion, spam links and redirects).
• Malvertising and drive-by downloads (redirect visitors to malicious sites, or inject fake update prompts).
• Phishing of site visitors or site staff by presenting realistic login forms or interstitials under the compromised domain.
• Bypass of security controls that rely on the browser (for example, stealing CSRF tokens or leveraging browser features).

Note: Modern browsers and well-configured sites mitigate some of these outcomes, but XSS remains a primary vector for web compromise.

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Who is affected

• Any WordPress site running the Include Me plugin at version 1.3.2 or earlier is potentially vulnerable.
• The reported required privilege is Administrator — so only admins can create the malicious input — but attackers who already have admin access can exploit this to expand control.
• Sites that allow multiple site operators, agencies, or third-parties admin access should treat this as higher risk due to broader exposure.

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Immediate actions (first 90 minutes)

1. Check plugin version
   • Go to WordPress Dashboard → Plugins and verify the installed version of Include Me.
   • Alternatively, inspect the plugin folder header in wp-content/plugins/include-me/ or run wp-cli: wp plugin get include-me --field=version.
2. If on ≤ 1.3.2: Update immediately
   • Update Include Me to 1.3.3 (or later if available). This is the fix. Always test in staging if you have a complex site, but if the site is at risk prioritize immediate update and then test.
3. If you cannot update immediately
   • Put the site into maintenance mode (if feasible) to limit exposure.
   • Restrict admin access (IP allowlist, VPN only, or restrict wp-admin at the web server level).
   • Temporarily deactivate the plugin if it’s not essential.
   • Enable/ensure multi-factor authentication for all admin accounts and rotate passwords.
4. Inspect admin-editable content
   • Search for recently modified content in the plugin’s settings and pages that the plugin manages. Look for unexpected <script> tags, event handlers (onerror, onload), or suspicious iframes.
5. Review logs and scan
   • Check your web server access logs and WordPress audit logs for unusual admin activity or POST requests to plugin endpoints.
   • Run a full site malware scan with your security tooling and a file integrity check.

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Safe remediation and recovery steps (if you suspect compromise)

If you detect suspicious content or signs of compromise:

1. Isolate and preserve evidence
   • Take a snapshot/backup of files and the database for forensic analysis. Don’t overwrite logs.
2. Replace compromised content
   • Remove malicious injected scripts from posts, settings, and plugin data.
3. Reset credentials and secrets
   • Reset all admin passwords, API keys, and any tokens stored in WP options.
   • Invalidate any external integration credentials that may have been compromised.
4. Check for web shells and unauthorized scheduled tasks
   • Look for unusual files in wp-content/uploads, wp-includes, wp-content/المكونات الإضافية folders.
   • Check خيارات wp for rogue autoloaded options and wp_posts for suspicious content.
5. Restore from a trusted backup if necessary
   • If you can’t confidently remove the malware, restore from a clean backup made prior to the incident.
6. Rotate signing keys and re-issue SSL certs if needed (rare)
7. Re-enforce hardening after remediation (see long-term section below)

If you don’t have the internal resources to handle an investigation, consider a professional incident response service. For many small teams, coordinated actions above will stop the immediate loss of control and remove injected content.

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Why updating is the best long-term fix

Patching the plugin to the fixed release (1.3.3 or later) eliminates the weakness at the source. Updates from the plugin author include the necessary sanitisation/escaping or capability checks to stop the injection vector. Virtual patches and WAFs are excellent temporary mitigations when you cannot update immediately, but they don’t replace the actual software fix.

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How a web application firewall (WAF) or managed firewall can help now

A modern WordPress-aware WAF provides a fast, low-friction way to reduce exploit risk while you apply the correct code-level fix:

• Virtual patching: a WAF rule can block requests that try to submit suspicious payloads containing script tags, event handlers, or typical XSS patterns aimed at known plugin endpoints.
• Positive-input enforcement: block admin POSTs containing raw <script> tags or dangerous HTML unless coming from trusted IPs.
• Rate limiting and anomaly detection: prevent automated scanning and mass injection attempts.
• IP allowlisting: restrict administrative interface access to known IPs.
• Alerting and logging: capture attempted exploit requests for later forensics.

If you run a managed firewall service integrated with WordPress, enable the rule-set specific to this plugin vulnerability while you update.

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Practical (safe) technical guidance for developers and site maintainers

This section provides secure coding and hardening guidance without exposing exploit details.

1. Escaping and sanitisation
   • Use the right function at the right layer:
     • Output context: esc_html(), esc_attr(), wp_kses() for specific allowed tags, esc_url().
     • Input validation: تطهير حقل النص, wp_kses_post() when you must allow limited HTML.
     • Do not rely only on client-side sanitisation.
   • Prefer to store raw data only if you will properly escape on render. If you allow HTML, use a strict whitelist via wp_kses().
2. Capability and nonce checks
   • Validate user capabilities before processing sensitive inputs (e.g., current_user_can( 'manage_options' )).
   • Verify nonces on form submissions: check_admin_referer() أو wp_verify_nonce().
3. Least privilege for admins and roles
   • Avoid giving non-essential accounts full admin privileges.
   • Use granular roles or a role-management plugin to limit who can change plugin content.
4. Secure plugin update behavior
   • Implement automatic updates in a controlled manner (auto-update only for security fixes can be a good compromise).
   • Provide clear DB migration or backup steps for major updates.
5. Logging and monitoring
   • Log admin activity (who edited what, when).
   • Set up alerts for new admin accounts or mass content changes.
6. Content Security Policy (CSP)
   • Implement a restrictive CSP to reduce impact of injected scripts (e.g., disallow inline-script execution via ‘unsafe-inline’ and use nonces for approved inline scripts).
   • CSP is a defense-in-depth control that helps mitigate XSS even if malicious content exists.
7. Security headers and cookie flags
   • Ensure cookies include HttpOnly and Secure flags.
   • Use SameSite on session cookies to reduce CSRF risks.
   • Use X-Frame-Options or frame-ancestors in CSP to prevent clickjacking.

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How to check whether you’re affected (step-by-step, safe checks)

1. Identify plugin version
   • WP Admin → Plugins OR use wp-cli: wp plugin get include-me --field=version
2. Search for plugin data in the database (non-destructive)
   • Look for tables or options with the plugin prefix (e.g., options containing include-me) and inspect values for unexpected <script> tags or attributes like onerror/onload.
   • Example (read-only): export or dump relevant rows and review.
3. Review recent admin edits
   • If you have an activity/audit log plugin, filter for admin POSTs/edits around the time suspicious changes occurred.
4. Web server logs
   • Inspect POST requests to plugin endpoints, especially those with content-type application/x-www-form-urlencoded or multipart/form-data that contain suspicious payloads.
5. Use a scanner
   • Run a reputable malware scan or static scanner over the codebase and database for known XSS indicators.

Important: Avoid running potentially destructive automated “exploit” checks or PoCs on production; use read-only checks and a staging environment for active testing.

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If you operate a multi-site environment or agency: additional considerations

• Audit all client sites and maintain an accurate inventory of installed plugins and versions.
• Roll out staged updates across a small subset before full deployment, but prioritize critical security patches.
• Use centralized management tools that can perform safe bulk updates with pre-update backups.
• Communicate proactively with clients about incident response steps, including the possibility of temporary downtime for mitigation.

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What secure plugin authors should have done (and what to look for in future releases)

• Validate and escape output consistently.
• Restrict which fields accept HTML, and make that explicit in the UI.
• Harden admin forms with capability checks and nonce validation.
• Provide clear upgrade notes and changelogs for security fixes.
• Provide a vulnerability disclosure process and timely, documented fixes (this reduces time-to-patch for site owners).

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Incident response checklist (concise)

• Update Include Me to 1.3.3 (or deactivate plugin).
• Enforce MFA and rotate admin credentials.
• Backup current site and database for forensics.
• Scan for additional malicious files and database changes.
• Remove malicious content and confirm cleanup.
• Revoke and reissue any exposed API keys.
• Monitor for suspicious outbound connections or scheduled tasks.
• Consider a professional audit if you cannot confidently remove backdoors.

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Hardening checklist after remediation

• Enforce strong passwords and MFA for all admin users.
• Limit admin-level accounts; use role separation.
• Keep WordPress core, theme, and all plugins updated.
• Configure a WAF and enable virtual patching for new vulnerabilities.
• Implement a security-oriented backup strategy and test restores regularly.
• Add monitoring, alerting, and periodic security scans.

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Why you shouldn’t wait to act

Attackers automate. Once a vulnerability is disclosed publicly, automated scanners and exploit bots begin probing the web for vulnerable targets within hours — sometimes minutes. The faster you update and harden, the less likely your site will be an easy target.

Even if your site seems low-value, many attacks are opportunistic and aim to use compromised sites as platforms for broader campaigns. Treat this like a hygiene issue: fix it, and you drastically reduce the chance of a painful recovery later.

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(If you want additional automation such as automatic malware removal or virtual patching, consider our paid plans — but start with the free plan now to reduce immediate exposure.)

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Final thoughts from the WP‑Firewall team

Vulnerabilities like the Include Me XSS illustrate how quickly a seemingly small bug can become an exploit vector. The good news: this is a fixable issue. Updating to the patched plugin release is the definitive resolution. For sites that can’t update immediately, layered defenses — a managed WAF, hardened admin access, MFA, monitoring, and careful remediation steps — will reduce risk.

If you want help assessing exposure, deploying a virtual patch, or setting up a hardened update workflow, our team can assist. Start with the straightforward actions this guide recommends: confirm the plugin version, update promptly, lock down admin access, and run a validated scan.

Stay safe, and keep your WordPress sites up-to-date — prevention is always more convenient and far less expensive than recovery.

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If you’d like a concise incident playbook tailored for your environment (site size, hosting type, and admin model) reply with your site profile and we’ll prepare a short remediation plan you can operationalize within a few hours.