CVE-2023-47786 in LayerSlider Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/23/2023
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in LayerSlider plugin
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2025
The CVE-2023-47786 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the LayerSlider WordPress plugin, exposing web applications to persistent security risks. This vulnerability resides in the improper handling of user input during web page generation processes, specifically affecting the plugin's ability to sanitize and neutralize malicious data before rendering it in web interfaces. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter potentially harmful script code submitted through various plugin interfaces.
LayerSlider plugin installations become susceptible to this vulnerability when users interact with features that process external input or user-generated content through the plugin's web page generation capabilities. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as a condition where an application includes untrusted data in a web page without proper validation or escaping, making it one of the most prevalent web application security flaws.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-47786 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to exploit the vulnerability through multiple attack vectors including admin interfaces, frontend forms, or API endpoints that utilize the affected plugin functionality. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that persist in the plugin's data storage mechanisms, causing the injected scripts to execute whenever affected pages are loaded by legitimate users. This persistent nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where administrators or content creators might inadvertently trigger the execution of malicious code through compromised plugin features.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to ATT&CK framework's T1566 technique for initial access through social engineering, as attackers often exploit XSS vulnerabilities to deliver additional payloads or establish footholds within compromised systems. The vulnerability also aligns with T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, as the malicious scripts typically leverage HTTP/HTTPS protocols to communicate with attacker-controlled domains. Organizations running LayerSlider plugin versions affected by this vulnerability face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential complete system compromise if proper mitigations are not implemented promptly.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-47786 should prioritize immediate patching of the LayerSlider plugin to the latest secure version that addresses the input sanitization issues. Additionally, implementing proper input validation mechanisms, output encoding for all dynamic content, and comprehensive content security policies can significantly reduce the attack surface. Security measures should include regular security audits of plugin installations, monitoring for suspicious user activities, and implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block known XSS attack patterns. Organizations should also consider restricting administrative privileges and implementing multi-factor authentication to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.