CVE-2023-5412 in Image Horizontal Reel Scroll Slideshow Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/31/2023
The Image horizontal reel scroll slideshow plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the plugin's shortcode in versions up to, and including, 13.2 due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers with subscriber-level and above permissions to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2026
The CVE-2023-5412 vulnerability affects the Image horizontal reel scroll slideshow plugin for WordPress, specifically versions up to and including 13.2. This security flaw represents a critical SQL injection vulnerability that arises from inadequate input sanitization within the plugin's shortcode implementation. The vulnerability manifests when the plugin processes user-supplied parameters without proper escaping mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to manipulate database queries through legitimate plugin functionality. The issue is particularly concerning because it targets authenticated users with subscriber-level permissions or higher, meaning that attackers who have gained access to any user account with sufficient privileges can leverage this vulnerability to compromise the underlying database system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the plugin's shortcode processing mechanism where user input is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper parameterization or input validation. This flaw falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, specifically demonstrating inadequate input validation and improper escaping of user-supplied data. The vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious SQL commands that can be executed within the context of the database connection, potentially allowing for data extraction, modification, or deletion of sensitive information. The lack of sufficient SQL query preparation means that existing database queries are vulnerable to manipulation through crafted input parameters that are processed through the plugin's shortcode functionality.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress installations using the affected plugin, as it provides authenticated attackers with a method to escalate their privileges and access sensitive database information. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to potentially allow for complete database compromise, depending on the attacker's permissions and the database structure. Attackers could extract user credentials, personal information, configuration data, or other sensitive content stored within the WordPress database. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it accessible to users who have already gained access to the system through other means such as phishing attacks or credential theft.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of the Image horizontal reel scroll slideshow plugin where the SQL injection vulnerability has been patched. The recommended approach involves thorough patch management procedures to ensure all instances of the vulnerable plugin are updated across the entire WordPress installation base. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing database query monitoring and logging to detect potential exploitation attempts, as well as reviewing user permissions to minimize the attack surface. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring for suspicious database access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security professionals should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected plugin and ensure proper remediation has been completed across all systems. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1046 for Network Service Scanning, indicating that exploitation may involve both credential abuse and network reconnaissance activities.