CVE-2022-1153 in LayerSlider Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/25/2022
The LayerSlider WordPress plugin before 7.1.2 does not sanitise and escape Project's slug before outputting it back in various place, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when the unfiltered_html is disallowed
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1153 affects the LayerSlider WordPress plugin version 7.1.1 and earlier, representing a critical cross-site scripting weakness that exploits improper input sanitization practices. This flaw exists within the plugin's handling of Project slugs, which are used to create unique identifiers for slider projects within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the plugin fails to properly sanitize and escape these slug values before rendering them back in various user interface elements, creating an avenue for malicious code injection.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as cross-site scripting. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious Project slugs containing script tags or other malicious payloads that will be executed when the affected plugin displays these values in administrative interfaces or frontend outputs. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets high-privilege users such as administrators, who typically have unrestricted access to plugin functionalities and can manipulate the affected elements directly. Even when the WordPress environment restricts unfiltered_html capabilities, which normally prevents direct script execution in content, this vulnerability allows attackers to bypass such protections through the specific input handling flaw.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1153 extends beyond simple XSS attacks, as it can enable attackers to perform more sophisticated operations within the compromised WordPress environment. Administrators who view affected Project slugs in the plugin's interface could unknowingly execute malicious scripts that might steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects the plugin's administrative dashboard where Project slugs are displayed, potentially compromising the entire WordPress installation if attackers can leverage this to gain further privileges or execute additional attacks against the platform. Additionally, the vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction since administrators typically navigate through the plugin's interface regularly, making it particularly dangerous in environments with multiple administrators or shared administrative access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-1153 primarily involve immediate plugin updates to version 7.1.2 or later, which contain the necessary sanitization fixes. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as monitoring for suspicious administrative activities, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed plugins. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output escaping practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security recommendations. Security teams should also consider implementing role-based access controls to limit administrative privileges where possible and maintain up-to-date threat intelligence to identify potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of WordPress plugins and themes remain crucial for maintaining overall platform security, as vulnerabilities like CVE-2022-1153 highlight the persistent risks associated with third-party software integration in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566, which covers the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications, emphasizing the need for comprehensive patch management and security monitoring processes.