CVE-2022-2413 in Slide Anything Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/16/2024
The Slide Anything WordPress plugin before 2.3.47 does not properly sanitize or escape the slide title before outputting it in the admin pages, allowing a logged in user with roles as low as Author to inject a javascript payload into the slide title even when the unfiltered_html capability is disabled.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2413 affects the Slide Anything WordPress plugin, specifically versions prior to 2.3.47, presenting a cross-site scripting risk that undermines the security posture of WordPress installations. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's admin interface, creating a path for malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code through crafted slide titles. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited by users with minimal privileges, specifically authors who typically have limited capabilities within WordPress systems.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's failure to properly sanitize slide titles before rendering them in administrative contexts. When an author creates or modifies a slide title, the plugin processes this input without adequate sanitization measures that would normally prevent script injection attempts. This oversight allows malicious payloads to persist in the slide title field and subsequently execute when the title is displayed in the WordPress admin interface. The vulnerability is exacerbated by the fact that the plugin does not differentiate between user roles when applying sanitization, meaning even users with restricted capabilities can leverage this weakness to compromise the admin environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to administrative functions and data within the WordPress environment. An author with malicious intent could craft slide titles containing javascript payloads that could steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute more sophisticated attacks against the WordPress installation. This represents a privilege escalation vector that undermines the principle of least privilege, allowing users with minimal permissions to potentially gain broader access to the site's administrative features. The vulnerability also creates a persistent threat that remains active until the plugin is updated, as the malicious code can be stored in the slide title fields and executed every time the affected admin pages are accessed.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a specific instance of inadequate input sanitization in WordPress plugin development. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation techniques, specifically leveraging weak input validation to gain higher-level access within the system. The issue demonstrates the critical importance of proper output escaping and input validation in web applications, particularly in content management systems where plugins extend core functionality while potentially introducing security gaps. Organizations using the affected plugin should immediately implement the available patch to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability can be leveraged by any user with author-level privileges to compromise the administrative interface and potentially escalate their access further within the WordPress environment.