CVE-2022-45375 in iFeature Slider Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/18/2022
Auth. Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in iFeature Slider plugin <= 1.2 on WordPress.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2025
The CVE-2022-45375 vulnerability represents a critical authentication-stored cross-site scripting flaw within the iFeature Slider WordPress plugin version 1.2 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of user input within the slider configuration interface, where unfiltered data is stored in the database and subsequently rendered in the frontend without proper sanitization. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms that allow malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the slider settings, which then execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected webpage.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of slider configuration parameters that are not properly validated or sanitized before being stored in the WordPress database. When administrators or users with appropriate privileges modify slider settings, the plugin fails to implement adequate sanitization measures for user-supplied content. This creates an environment where malicious JavaScript code can be persisted in the database and executed whenever the slider content is rendered, making it a stored XSS vulnerability rather than a reflected one. The vulnerability affects the plugin's backend administration interface where slider parameters are configured, and the frontend display where the malicious code executes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with the ability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, manipulate content, or redirect users to malicious websites. Given that the iFeature Slider plugin is designed for content management and presentation, attackers can leverage this vulnerability to compromise user accounts, especially if administrators with elevated privileges are targeted. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload remains persistent until manually removed from the database, potentially affecting multiple users over extended periods. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious content.
Security practitioners should prioritize immediate mitigation of this vulnerability by updating to the latest version of the iFeature Slider plugin where the XSS flaw has been addressed through proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. The recommended approach involves implementing proper content security policies, enabling WordPress security hardening measures, and conducting thorough input validation for all user-supplied data. Additionally, administrators should review existing slider configurations for any signs of malicious code injection and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins should include verification of input sanitization practices and output escaping mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the web application stack.