CVE-2025-5524

OceanWP <= 4.0.9 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Select HTML Tag

Published Jun 19, 2025 CVSS 3.1 · 4.9 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
The OceanWP theme for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the Select HTML tag in all versions up to, and including, 4.0.9 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.

Analysis

AI-generated

Technical impact

OceanWP, a WordPress theme, permits authenticated contributors or higher roles to insert arbitrary JavaScript through the Select HTML tag. The insufficient input sanitization allows a stored XSS payload to be persisted in page content, which executes in every user’s browser when the page is viewed. This can lead to defacement, credential theft or further session hijacking on victim sites, compromising the confidentiality and integrity of site users.

Affected Systems

All installations of OceanWP theme with version 4.0.9 or earlier are affected. The problem exists in the theme’s JavaScript handling of the Select HTML tag within the content editor. Users running any OceanWP build up to and including 4.0.9 are at risk unless they have verified that the code has been patched.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 4.9 reflects a moderate impact when an authorized contributor injects malicious script. The EPSS score of less than 1% indicates a low likelihood of exploitation at present, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog. Exploitability requires valid Contributor‑level credentials and the ability to edit or create content. Attackers could leverage the vulnerability to target visitors across the site, but broad, remote exploitation is limited to accounts with sufficient role permissions.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Update the OceanWP theme to the latest release (version 4.1 or higher); this removes the vulnerable Select HTML handling.
  • Remove or replace any page or post content that contains injected script tags recorded during the period before the patch was applied.
  • Restrict the permissions of Contributor‑level users until a full audit and confirmation of no remaining XSS payloads has been completed, and enable two‑factor authentication for accounts with elevated privileges.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on April 21, 2026 at 20:08 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2025-28584 The OceanWP theme for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the Select HTML tag in all versions up to, and including, 4.0.9 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description The OceanWP theme for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the Select HTML tag in all versions up to, and including, 4.0.9 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
Title OceanWP <= 4.0.9 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Select HTML Tag
Weaknesses CWE-79
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 4.9, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N'}

Subscriptions

No data.

Weaknesses
  • CWE-79

    Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Wordfence
Published
Updated
Apr 8, 2026, 4:46 PM
Reserved
Jun 3, 2025, 11:46 AM
Status
Deferred
Published
Jun 19, 2025, 5:15 AM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 9:48 AM