CVE-2023-45768 in Next Page Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Auth. (admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Stephanie Leary Next Page plugin <= 1.5.2 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2026
This stored cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the Next Page plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions 1.5.2 and earlier. The flaw allows authenticated administrators or users with admin-level privileges to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's administrative interface, which then get executed whenever other administrators or privileged users view the affected pages. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the plugin's handling of user-supplied data. When administrators edit or manage content through the plugin's interface, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape potentially malicious script code that might be submitted through form fields or other input methods. This creates a persistent threat where malicious scripts can be stored in the application's database and executed against other administrators who subsequently access the compromised administrative sections. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which covers exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, modify administrative settings, or even gain full control over the affected WordPress installation. Attackers typically exploit such vulnerabilities by crafting malicious payloads that can steal administrator credentials, inject backdoors, or redirect users to malicious sites. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious code persists until manually removed by administrators, making it particularly dangerous for long-term compromise. Given that the vulnerability requires admin-level access to exploit, it represents a privilege escalation threat rather than a direct public attack vector, though it can be leveraged as a stepping stone to broader system compromise. Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of the plugin where this vulnerability has been patched, implement proper input validation procedures, and conduct regular security audits of their WordPress installations to identify similar vulnerabilities. The flaw demonstrates the critical importance of proper sanitization of user inputs in web applications and highlights how administrative interfaces often become prime targets for attackers seeking to gain persistent access to systems.