CVE-2025-0169 - Exploiting Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) in DWT - Directory & Listing WordPress Theme (<= 3.3.4)

The web is full of themes and plugins that make WordPress shine, but sometimes, a simple oversight in code can lead to serious security holes. One of the latest vulnerabilities that’s making the rounds is CVE-2025-0169, which impacts the very popular DWT - Directory & Listing WordPress Theme. Let's dive into what this vulnerability is, how it happens, how it can be exploited, and what you should do if you’re affected.

What is CVE-2025-0169?

CVE-2025-0169 is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in the DWT - Directory & Listing theme, up to and including version 3.3.4. The theme doesn’t properly sanitize or escape user-supplied attributes in shortcodes. That means attackers with at least contributor rights can inject malicious JavaScript into WordPress pages. When another user (like an admin or regular visitor) visits the page, these scripts run in their browser, potentially stealing cookies, credentials, or even taking over an account.

How Does the Attack Work?

1. Contributor-level Account Needed: The attacker needs a WordPress account with at least contributor permissions (not hard to get if sign-ups are open or someone’s account is phished).
2. Crafted Shortcode: The attacker creates a new post or edits an existing one, inserting a shortcode with a specially constructed payload.
3. Malicious Script Stored: Because the shortcode’s attributes aren’t sanitized or escaped, the JavaScript is saved to the post/page.

Proof of Concept (PoC) Code

Here’s a simple example of how an attacker might inject a script using the vulnerable shortcode. Let’s say [dwt_listing] is a valid shortcode; the vulnerability is in how its attributes are processed.

[dwt_listing title='" onmouseover="alert(\'XSS Attack!\')"']

Or, embedded in a real post/page content

[dwt_listing title="<script>alert('XSS!');</script>"]

What Happens:
When the page or post is viewed, the script will execute, showing a popup. In a real attack, the script could do much worse—like steal your cookies or session.

Submit for Review or Save as Draft: The code gets stored.

5. Admin/Editor Publishes: When someone with higher permissions views it (or previews it), the JavaScript executes.
6. Payload Runs: The attacker’s payload (data theft, session hijack, etc.) executes in the victim’s browser.

Why is This Dangerous?

- Targets Users with Higher Privileges: Contributors can trick admins into running malicious scripts.
- Can Lead to Account Takeover: If an admin gets hit, attackers can gain full control over the site.

A likely scenario: The theme uses something like this in its PHP code (simplified example)

function dwt_listing_shortcode($atts) {
    // Vulnerable: No sanitization/escaping of $atts['title']
    return '<div class="listing-title">' . $atts['title'] . '</div>';
}
add_shortcode('dwt_listing', 'dwt_listing_shortcode');

The Fix?

Use esc_html() or esc_attr() to sanitize output

return '<div class="listing-title">' . esc_html($atts['title']) . '</div>';

References

- Wordfence Advisory: CVE-2025-0169
- DWT - Directory & Listing Theme on ThemeForest
- Explained: Stored XSS in WordPress Shortcodes

How to Stay Safe

- Update Now: Make sure your DWT - Directory & Listing theme is updated to the latest version. Check the developer’s changelog for XSS patches.

Restrict User Roles: Limit contributor sign-ups and review user permissions.

- Security Plugins: Use plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri to detect malicious content and block attacks.
- Sanitize Inputs: Theme and plugin developers should always sanitize and escape all user inputs and outputs!

Final Thoughts

Stored XSS vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-0169 are dangerous because they use WordPress’s own features against itself. If you’re running the vulnerable version of DWT - Directory & Listing, update immediately and audit your site for suspicious code. Even if you think your site isn’t being targeted, it’s only a matter of time.

Stay safe, update your themes, and keep your WordPress site secure!


Original research and exploit example were prepared exclusively for this long read. If you need a quick visual, here’s what a stored XSS popup attack might look like:
!XSS Example
*Image for educational use - always get permission before testing!*


If you have any questions or find yourself affected, feel free to reach out to the community or report it to WordPress security forums.

Timeline

Published on: 02/08/2025 23:15:08 UTC
Last modified on: 02/11/2025 18:15:24 UTC