CVE-2023-2289 in Vertical Image Slider Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/09/2023
The wordpress vertical image slider plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the ‘search_term’ parameter in versions up to, and including, 1.2.16 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2026
The wordpress vertical image slider plugin represents a widely used content management system component that facilitates the display of image galleries in vertical formats within wordpress websites. This particular plugin version 1.2.16 and earlier contains a critical security vulnerability that affects the plugin's handling of user input parameters. The vulnerability manifests as a reflected cross-site scripting flaw that specifically targets the 'search_term' parameter within the plugin's functionality, creating an attack vector that can be exploited by unauthenticated threat actors without requiring any valid credentials or privileged access to the wordpress installation.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization mechanisms and insufficient output escaping practices within the plugin's code implementation. When the plugin processes the 'search_term' parameter, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the user-supplied input before incorporating it into the page's response. This omission allows malicious actors to inject crafted script code that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when they access pages containing the vulnerable plugin functionality. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious script code is reflected back to the user through the server's response, making it particularly dangerous as it can be delivered through various attack vectors including malicious links, email attachments, or compromised website content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it creates a persistent threat that can be leveraged for various malicious activities within the context of affected wordpress installations. Attackers can potentially redirect users to malicious websites, steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or even escalate their privileges within the wordpress environment. The vulnerability's accessibility to unauthenticated attackers means that any user who interacts with the compromised wordpress site could become a victim, making it a significant risk for websites that rely on this plugin for their image gallery functionality. The reflected nature of the attack also allows for precise targeting of specific users or user groups, as the malicious payload can be tailored to exploit particular browsing contexts or user sessions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the reflected cross-site scripting flaw through proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads targeting the specific parameter, input validation rules that sanitize all user-supplied data, and security headers that help prevent script execution in vulnerable contexts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should be addressed through comprehensive input validation and output encoding. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual traffic patterns or suspicious parameter values that may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability, while maintaining regular security audits to identify similar issues in other installed plugins or themes that may present similar security risks.