CVE-2023-5200 in flowpaper Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
The flowpaper plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via 'flipbook' shortcode in versions up to, and including, 2.0.3 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 flowpaper plugin for WordPress represents a document management solution that enables users to create interactive digital flipbooks directly within their wordpress environment. This particular vulnerability affects versions up to and including 2.0.3, where the plugin fails to properly sanitize user input when processing the 'flipbook' shortcode. The issue stems from inadequate validation and escaping mechanisms applied to attributes provided by users, creating a persistent cross-site scripting vector that can be exploited by authenticated attackers.
The technical flaw manifests through the plugin's insufficient input sanitization processes that fail to properly escape user-supplied attributes before rendering them in the output HTML. When an attacker with contributor level permissions or higher creates or modifies a page containing the flipbook shortcode with malicious attributes, the plugin stores these unescaped values in the database. Subsequently, when any user accesses the page containing the injected content, the stored malicious scripts execute in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further compromise of the affected wordpress installation.
This vulnerability operates under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically classified as a stored XSS variant where the malicious payload is permanently stored on the server and executed during subsequent page requests. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique under T1566.001 - Phishing with Social Engineering, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to craft malicious pages that appear legitimate to end users. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges within the wordpress environment, especially when combined with other exploitation techniques or when the compromised user has elevated permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for wordpress administrators as it allows attackers to establish persistent footholds within their document management systems. Since the vulnerability requires only contributor-level permissions, which are commonly granted to content creators and editors, the attack surface is relatively broad. Attackers can craft malicious pages that execute scripts in the context of any user who views them, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information, modification of content, or redirection to malicious sites. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payloads remain active until manually removed from the system, creating a long-term security risk for affected installations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the input sanitization issues, ensuring that all user-supplied attributes undergo proper escaping before being rendered in HTML output. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular monitoring of user activity, particularly for contributors and editors who have the capability to inject content. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting contributor permissions to only essential functions and regularly reviewing user roles and capabilities. Network-based solutions such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers, though the most effective defense remains the immediate patching of the vulnerable plugin version and ensuring that all wordpress installations maintain current security updates.