CVE-2013-1759 in Responsive Logo Slideshow
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Responsive Logo Slideshow plugin for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the "URL and Image" field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
The CVE-2013-1759 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Responsive Logo Slideshow WordPress plugin, exposing millions of websites to potential exploitation by remote attackers. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of user input in the "URL and Image" field, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that can persist and execute within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, allowing attackers to bypass standard security measures that typically protect against such malicious injections.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. When administrators or users input URLs or image references into the designated fields, the plugin processes this information without adequate filtering or encoding, creating a persistent XSS vector. This weakness aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a result of insufficient input validation and output encoding. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within a widely used WordPress plugin ecosystem, where administrators often trust plugin functionality without considering the potential for malicious input injection.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1759 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to execute malicious code in the browsers of unsuspecting visitors. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal user sessions, redirect visitors to malicious websites, deface websites, or even establish backdoor access to compromised systems. The persistent nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious scripts will continue to execute for all users who view the affected pages until the plugin is updated or the vulnerable fields are cleaned. This vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically targeting the initial access phase through malicious web content, and demonstrates how plugin vulnerabilities can serve as entry points for broader compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from WordPress site administrators, including updating the Responsive Logo Slideshow plugin to the latest version that addresses the XSS flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures, including HTML encoding of all user-supplied content before storage or display, and consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts. Regular security audits of installed plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, while implementing web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of the principle of least privilege, where plugin administrators should only grant necessary permissions and regularly review plugin configurations to minimize potential attack surface.