CVE-2023-4604 in Slideshow, Image Slider Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/17/2024
The Slideshow, Image Slider by 2J plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the ‘post’ parameter in versions up to, and including, 1.3.54 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 • 03/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4604 affects the Slideshow Image Slider by 2J plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 1.3.54. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of web applications by enabling malicious actors to exploit reflected cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, creating an attack surface that can be leveraged by unauthenticated threat actors without requiring any privileged access or authentication credentials.
The technical flaw manifests through the 'post' parameter which fails to properly sanitize user input before processing and rendering within web pages. This parameter vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that gets executed in the context of a victim's browser when they interact with a specially crafted URL. The reflected nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious payload is reflected back to the user through the web application's response, making it particularly dangerous as it can be delivered via email links, social media posts, or other means that trick users into clicking malicious URLs. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or escaping.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to credential theft, defacement of web content, redirection to malicious sites, and potential exploitation of browser vulnerabilities. The fact that this affects an unauthenticated attack vector means that any user visiting a page containing the vulnerable parameter becomes a potential target, significantly increasing the attack surface. This vulnerability aligns with several tactics from the MITRE ATT&CK framework including initial access through malicious links and privilege escalation via session manipulation, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently interact with web content from external sources.
Organizations utilizing the affected WordPress plugin should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to the latest available version of the plugin where the vulnerability has been addressed, implementing proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious XSS payloads. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough security audits of their WordPress installations to identify any other vulnerable plugins or themes that may be susceptible to similar vulnerabilities. The recommended approach includes establishing a comprehensive patch management process that ensures all WordPress components remain up-to-date with the latest security fixes and security headers that can help prevent XSS attacks through proper content security policies and other defensive measures.