CVE-2023-40205 in PixTypes Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/04/2023
Unauth. Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Pixelgrade PixTypes plugin <= 1.4.15 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2026
This vulnerability represents an unauthenticated reflected cross-site scripting flaw that affects the Pixelgrade PixTypes plugin version 1.4.15 and earlier. The issue arises when the plugin fails to properly sanitize user input before reflecting it back in HTTP responses, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web pages viewed by unsuspecting users. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the plugin processes parameters from HTTP requests without adequate validation or encoding mechanisms, allowing attackers to craft malicious URLs that, when visited by victims, execute malicious scripts in their browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which defines the weakness of improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic example of reflected cross-site scripting. The attack typically involves an attacker constructing a malicious URL containing script code in a parameter that gets reflected back to the user's browser through the vulnerable plugin's response. This allows for session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web pages, or redirection to malicious sites. The impact is significant as the vulnerability does not require authentication, meaning any user can exploit it simply by visiting a crafted URL. The attack surface extends to any website running the affected plugin version, potentially compromising thousands of users who visit infected pages. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers phishing with malicious attachments, as attackers can distribute malicious links through various phishing campaigns. Organizations using the Pixelgrade PixTypes plugin must immediately update to version 1.4.16 or later to remediate this issue. The mitigation strategy involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding techniques, specifically ensuring that all user-supplied data is sanitized before being incorporated into web responses. Additionally, organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of inline scripts and monitor their web applications for suspicious activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications and highlights the need for regular security updates and patch management processes to protect against known vulnerabilities in third-party software components.