CVE-2023-2584 in PixelYourSite Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/09/2023
The PixelYourSite plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via admin settings in versions up to, and including, 9.3.6 (9.6.1 in the Pro version) due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with administrator-level permissions and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page. This only affects multi-site installations and installations where unfiltered_html has been disabled.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2026
The PixelYourSite plugin for WordPress presents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects versions up to 9.3.6 in the free version and 9.6.1 in the Pro version. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's administrative settings interface. The flaw specifically targets WordPress multi-site installations where the unfiltered_html capability has been disabled, creating a dangerous attack vector for authenticated administrators who possess administrator-level permissions or higher. The vulnerability's exploitation requires the attacker to have administrative access, but once achieved, it enables the injection of malicious scripts that persistently execute whenever any user accesses the compromised pages.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically classified as a stored XSS variant where malicious scripts are permanently stored on the server and executed automatically when users access affected pages. This vulnerability operates under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers leverage web application vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code. The flaw's impact is particularly severe in multi-site WordPress installations because these environments often contain multiple interconnected sites where a single compromised admin panel can potentially affect the entire network. The restriction on installations where unfiltered_html has been disabled means that the vulnerability is not present in all WordPress configurations, but those that are affected represent high-risk environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with persistent access to compromised systems and potentially allows for privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish backdoors, steal administrator credentials, modify content, or redirect users to malicious sites. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that even after the initial attack, the malicious scripts continue to execute automatically for any user who accesses the compromised pages, making detection and remediation more challenging. In multi-site environments, the potential for lateral movement increases significantly, as attackers may be able to compromise multiple sites within the network through a single successful exploitation. The vulnerability's requirement for administrator-level access, while limiting its scope, does not reduce its severity since administrators typically have extensive privileges within WordPress installations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the input sanitization and output escaping deficiencies. Organizations should implement strict access controls and monitoring of administrative activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular backups ensure rapid recovery in case of successful exploitation. Security professionals should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect suspicious traffic patterns that may indicate XSS exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a stored XSS attack necessitates comprehensive incident response procedures that include thorough scanning of affected systems, user credential rotation, and verification of all administrative activities for signs of compromise. Organizations should also review their WordPress security configurations to ensure that unfiltered_html is properly restricted and that proper input validation is implemented across all administrative interfaces.