CVE-2023-28534 in WP Job Portal Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/22/2023
Auth. (subscriber+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in WP Job Portal WP Job Portal – A Complete Job Board plugin <= 2.0.0 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2026
This stored cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the WP Job Portal plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions 2.0.0 and earlier. The flaw allows authenticated users with subscriber+ privileges to inject malicious scripts into the application's data storage, which then executes when other users view the affected content. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's handling of user-submitted data. Attackers with subscriber-level access or higher can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user inputs before storing them in the database and subsequently rendering them without adequate HTML escaping. When authenticated users submit job listings, applications, or other content through the plugin's interface, their input passes through validation processes that are insufficient to prevent malicious script injection. The stored data is then retrieved and displayed on various plugin pages without proper sanitization, creating the XSS vector. This type of vulnerability is categorized as CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that enables attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the compromised environment. An attacker could craft malicious payloads that redirect victims to phishing sites, steal cookies and session tokens, or even execute browser-based attacks against other applications within the same domain. The vulnerability affects the entire plugin ecosystem, potentially compromising all users who interact with the job portal functionality. Given that the plugin is designed for job board operations, the attack surface includes not only job seekers but also employers and administrators who may view the stored malicious content. This creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on job portals for recruitment processes, as attackers could compromise the integrity of job listings, applications, and user data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching to version 2.0.1 or later, which addresses the input validation and output escaping issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization mechanisms that filter and validate all user-submitted data before storage, utilizing proper HTML escaping techniques when rendering content. Network segmentation and role-based access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of compromised subscriber accounts. Additionally, implementing content security policies and regular security monitoring can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 - Account Access Removal, as unauthorized access to subscriber accounts could be achieved through XSS exploitation, and T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, since the attack vector specifically involves JavaScript code execution. Security teams should also conduct thorough code reviews focusing on input validation and output encoding practices, particularly for web applications handling user-generated content, to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components.