CVE-2012-5229 in Slideshow Gallery2
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in css/gallery-css.php in the Slideshow Gallery2 plugin for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the border parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2025
The CVE-2012-5229 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Slideshow Gallery2 plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting the css/gallery-css.php component. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 as an improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a significant security risk for WordPress installations. The flaw occurs when the plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input parameters, particularly the border parameter, which is processed without adequate validation or encoding mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers manipulate the border parameter in the css/gallery-css.php script to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content. When the vulnerable plugin processes this parameter and renders it within the web page context, the injected code executes in the victim's browser with the privileges of the affected user. This creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can execute arbitrary scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised system. The vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's CSS generation functionality, where the border parameter is used to define visual styling elements for gallery displays.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5229 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform sophisticated social engineering attacks against WordPress users. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows threat actors to manipulate gallery displays on compromised sites, potentially redirecting users to malicious domains, stealing cookies, or executing malicious payloads that can persist across user sessions. The vulnerability affects WordPress installations using the Slideshow Gallery2 plugin, making it particularly dangerous for content management systems that rely heavily on third-party gallery functionality. This type of vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content, as it provides a vector for delivering malicious payloads through compromised web interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5229 should focus on immediate patching of the affected plugin, as the vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent versions of the Slideshow Gallery2 plugin. Organizations should implement input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied parameters before processing, particularly those used in dynamic content generation. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. Security professionals should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious parameter injection attempts, and maintain up-to-date vulnerability scanning tools to identify unpatched systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and serves as a reminder of the risks associated with third-party plugin integration in content management systems.