CVE-2023-4716 in Media Library Assistant Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/22/2023
The Media Library Assistant plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the 'mla_gallery' shortcode in versions up to, and including, 3.10 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers with contributor-level and above permissions to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2026
The Media Library Assistant plugin for WordPress represents a widely used tool that enhances media management capabilities within the WordPress ecosystem. This particular vulnerability affects versions up to and including 3.10, creating a significant security risk for WordPress installations that rely on this plugin. The flaw exists within the mla_gallery shortcode implementation, which processes user-supplied attributes without adequate sanitization measures. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of input parameters that are subsequently rendered in web pages, creating a persistent cross-site scripting attack vector.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. When administrators or contributors with appropriate permissions utilize the mla_gallery shortcode with maliciously crafted attributes, the plugin fails to properly validate or escape these inputs before rendering them in the resulting HTML output. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code that will execute whenever any user accesses a page containing the maliciously injected content. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the plugin's shortcode processing functionality, which is designed to generate gallery displays from media library items.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with persistent access to compromised WordPress installations. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher can leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious scripts that will execute in the context of other users' browsers. This creates a persistent threat vector where the injected scripts can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or even executing additional attacks against the compromised system. The vulnerability's persistence stems from the stored nature of the XSS attack, meaning that once injected, the malicious code remains active until manually removed from the plugin's shortcode attributes.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically in the context of cross-site scripting attacks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a form of code injection where adversaries exploit weaknesses in input validation to execute malicious code within the victim's browser context. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges, as contributors and above already possess the necessary permissions to modify content and plugin attributes, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have elevated access rights. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through plugin updates, as the vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete compromise of affected WordPress installations.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate plugin version updates to the latest secure release, which typically includes proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should implement strict role-based access controls to limit who can modify plugin attributes and shortcode parameters. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual shortcode usage patterns, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify other potential vulnerabilities in the WordPress ecosystem. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against exploitation, though this represents a defensive measure rather than a complete solution to the underlying vulnerability.