CVE-2023-5110 in BSK PDF Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
The BSK PDF Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via 'bsk-pdfm-category-dropdown' shortcode in versions up to, and including, 3.4.1 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 • 04/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5110 affects the BSK PDF Manager plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 3.4.1. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress installations relying on this plugin for PDF management functionality. The vulnerability manifests through the 'bsk-pdfm-category-dropdown' shortcode, which serves as an entry point for malicious actors to exploit the system's insufficient input validation mechanisms. The flaw exists within the plugin's handling of user-supplied attributes, where proper sanitization and output escaping procedures have not been adequately implemented, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by authenticated users with contributor-level permissions or higher.
The technical implementation of this stored cross-site scripting vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user input before processing and rendering it within web pages. When an attacker with sufficient privileges creates or modifies content using the vulnerable shortcode, they can inject malicious JavaScript code that gets stored within the plugin's data structures. This stored script then executes whenever any user accesses pages containing the injected content, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users without requiring them to interact with malicious links directly. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly handled during web page generation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it creates a persistent backdoor for attackers within WordPress installations. Authenticated attackers with contributor privileges or higher can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious code persists until manually removed from the system, making it particularly dangerous for long-term compromise. This vulnerability affects the availability and integrity of the WordPress environment, as it allows attackers to modify user experiences and potentially escalate their privileges within the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-5110 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the sanitization and escaping issues. System administrators should implement strict access controls and monitor user activities within WordPress installations, particularly for users with contributor-level permissions or higher who have access to shortcode functionality. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security audits of WordPress plugins should include verification of input sanitization practices. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious shortcode usage patterns, and maintain regular backups to ensure rapid recovery from potential compromise scenarios. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output escaping practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and ATT&CK framework techniques related to web application exploitation and privilege escalation.