CVE-2023-5307 in Photos and Files Contest Gallery Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/31/2023
The Photos and Files Contest Gallery WordPress plugin before 21.2.8.1 does not sanitise and escape some parameters, which could allow unauthenticated users to perform Cross-Site Scripting attacks via certain headers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5307 affects the Photos and Files Contest Gallery WordPress plugin, specifically versions prior to 21.2.8.1. This issue represents a critical security flaw that exposes WordPress sites to cross-site scripting attacks from unauthenticated users. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-controllable parameters within the plugin's codebase, creating an attack vector that can be exploited without requiring any authentication credentials. The affected parameters are processed through certain HTTP headers, making the exploitation particularly insidious as it can occur through standard web traffic without additional privileged access.
The technical flaw manifests when the plugin fails to properly validate and sanitize input data that originates from HTTP headers. This omission creates a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the application's response, which will then execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a Cross-Site Scripting weakness, specifically representing a failure to sanitize input data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious HTTP headers that contain script payloads, which the vulnerable plugin then processes and reflects back to unsuspecting users. The lack of proper escaping mechanisms means that any user interaction with the affected plugin functionality can trigger the execution of malicious scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious activities.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-5307 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the context of affected websites. Unauthenticated users can exploit this vulnerability to inject persistent scripts that may redirect users to malicious sites, steal cookies and session tokens, or even modify the content displayed to other users. The vulnerability affects the plugin's functionality across all WordPress installations using vulnerable versions, making it particularly dangerous for sites with high traffic or those that rely heavily on user interaction. The exposure of this vulnerability through HTTP headers means that attackers can potentially exploit it through various means including crafted web requests, automated scanning tools, or even through compromised third-party services that interact with the WordPress site. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as the injected scripts can be used to execute commands or manipulate user sessions. The impact is particularly severe in environments where the plugin is used for user-generated content or contest submissions, as the attack surface expands to include all users interacting with the plugin's functionality.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately update to version 21.2.8.1 or later of the Photos and Files Contest Gallery plugin to remediate the security flaw. System administrators should also implement network-level monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual HTTP header patterns or suspicious traffic behaviors. The patch addresses the root cause by implementing proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms for all parameters derived from HTTP headers. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other instances of similar sanitization issues within their WordPress installations, as this vulnerability type often indicates broader code quality issues. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious headers, configuring proper HTTP header validation, and establishing regular security audits of all installed plugins and themes. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and output escaping in web applications, particularly in content management systems where plugins can introduce significant security risks through improper data handling practices.