CVE-2023-5334 in WP Responsive Header Image Slider Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
The WP Responsive header image slider plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via 'sp_responsiveslider' shortcode in versions up to, and including, 3.2.1 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.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2026
The WP Responsive header image slider plugin for WordPress presents a critical security vulnerability classified as CVE-2023-5334, which manifests as a stored cross-site scripting flaw affecting versions through 3.2.1. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's handling of the 'sp_responsiveslider' shortcode implementation, where insufficient input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms fail to properly validate user-supplied attributes. The flaw specifically impacts authenticated attackers who possess contributor-level permissions or higher, granting them the capability to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's shortcode functionality. This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-79, which encompasses cross-site scripting flaws that allow attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages the plugin's shortcode processing mechanism to store malicious payloads that persist in the database rather than requiring a one-time injection.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated attacker with contributor privileges or higher modifies the shortcode parameters through the WordPress admin interface or via API calls that permit shortcode attribute manipulation. When the affected shortcode is rendered on a webpage, the malicious script code is executed in the context of other users' browsers who visit pages containing the vulnerable shortcode. This stored XSS vulnerability allows attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, redirection to malicious sites, and data exfiltration. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges within the WordPress environment, particularly when combined with other vulnerabilities or when targeting users with higher administrative permissions. The vulnerability's persistence stems from the fact that the malicious code is stored in the WordPress database and executed every time the affected page is loaded, making it particularly dangerous for websites with high traffic or critical user engagement.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-5334 extends beyond immediate script execution to encompass broader security implications for WordPress installations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access points within compromised websites, potentially using the stored scripts to create backdoors or exfiltrate sensitive data from user sessions. The vulnerability affects WordPress environments where the plugin is installed and active, making it particularly dangerous for content management systems that rely heavily on user-generated content or collaborative editing features. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability operates within the ATT&CK framework under the technique T1566.001 for "Phishing with Social Engineering" and T1059.001 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as attackers can use the stored scripts to execute commands and establish persistent access. Organizations with multiple contributors or users with elevated permissions face heightened risk, as the vulnerability requires minimal privileges to exploit and can cause cascading security issues across the entire WordPress installation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-5334 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the stored XSS vulnerability, as the developers have likely released patches to correct the insufficient input sanitization and output escaping issues. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation measures that sanitize all user-supplied attributes before processing them through the shortcode mechanism, ensuring that all potentially dangerous characters and script tags are properly escaped or removed. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect suspicious patterns in shortcode parameters and user activity that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing role-based access controls and privilege limiting can reduce the attack surface by restricting contributor-level access to plugin configuration features. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to mitigate the impact of any successful XSS attempts, though this should be viewed as a supplementary measure rather than a primary defense. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes remain essential for identifying similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other components of the WordPress ecosystem, as this vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing need for robust input validation and output escaping practices in web applications.