CVE-2025-30798 - Reflected Cross-site Scripting in rickonline_nl Better WishList API up to 1.1.4 – Exploit and Analysis

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Introduction

A new vulnerability—CVE-2025-30798—has been found in the Better WishList API developed by rickonline_nl. The issue is an Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (often called Cross-site Scripting or XSS). Specifically, this is a Reflected XSS vulnerability.

If left unpatched, this bug could let attackers inject and execute malicious JavaScript in the web user's browser. This article will break down what the issue is, how it can be exploited, and what can be done to stay safe.

What is Reflected XSS?

Reflected XSS happens when a web app sends user input back to the user's browser without properly checking or cleaning (sanitizing) it. If JavaScript is injected this way, it can run in the context of the site. Hackers use this to steal login cookies, redirect users, or even deface the website.

Where’s the Problem in Better WishList API?

The problem exists in all plugin versions *up to* and including 1.1.4—and maybe before, since there's no public note of when it began. The plugin fails to sanitize some user input before reflecting it back into an HTML page or API response.

The exact endpoint may differ based on the site, but vulnerable code will look similar to this

// Example snippet - vulnerable code in PHP
if ( isset( $_GET['wishlist_title'] ) ) {
    echo '<h2>' . $_GET['wishlist_title'] . '</h2>';
}

There’s no filtering or encoding. Whatever lands in wishlist_title will print straight into the HTML page. If an attacker puts JavaScript in that input, it will execute in anyone’s browser who loads the link.

You can test if a site is vulnerable using a URL like this

https://<target-site>/?wishlist_title=<script>alert('XSS')</script>;

If an alert pops up or you see your script printed in the title, the site is vulnerable.

Copy this link and adjust the domain as needed.

https://vulnerable-site.com/?wishlist_title=%3Cscript%3Ealert('Pwned!')%3C%2Fscript%3E

References and More Info

- Original Plugin on WordPress.org
- OWASP Cross-site Scripting (XSS)
- CVE-2025-30798 at MITRE (once published)

1. Update Better WishList API to the Latest Version

Check for plugin updates and install patches as soon as they are released.

If you maintain a plugin or similar endpoint, filter and escape all outputs. For example, use

echo '<h2>' . esc_html( $_GET['wishlist_title'] ) . '</h2>';

3. Use Security Plugins

Add tools like Wordfence or Sucuri to block exploit attempts.

4. Educate Your Team

Make sure everyone understands the risk and knows how to spot suspicious URLs.

Conclusion

CVE-2025-30798 is a serious vulnerability in the Better WishList API WordPress plugin, exposing sites to Cross-site Scripting attacks. If you use this plugin on your website, update as soon as possible, and always sanitize any output to the browser.

Stay safe, patch early, and keep an eye out for more security advisories.

Timeline

Published on: 04/01/2025 06:15:51 UTC
Last modified on: 04/01/2025 20:26:11 UTC