CVE-2023-5431 in Left Right Image Slideshow Gallery Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/31/2023
The Left right image slideshow gallery plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the plugin's shortcode in versions up to, and including, 12.0 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-2023-5431 vulnerability affects the Left right image slideshow gallery plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 12.0. This security flaw represents a critical SQL injection vulnerability that exploits insufficient input validation and sanitization within the plugin's shortcode implementation. The vulnerability exists due to inadequate escaping of user-supplied parameters and the absence of proper SQL query preparation mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through legitimate plugin functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the plugin's shortcode mechanism, where authenticated attackers with subscriber-level permissions or higher can inject malicious SQL commands into existing database queries. This flaw falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a critical weakness in software applications that process user input directly into database queries without proper sanitization. The vulnerability allows attackers to append additional SQL operations to existing queries, potentially enabling data extraction, modification, or deletion of sensitive information stored within the WordPress database.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress installations using the affected plugin, as it requires only subscriber-level privileges to exploit. This low privilege requirement makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have access to the WordPress admin interface. The impact extends beyond simple data theft, as attackers could potentially escalate their privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive user information, including credentials, personal data, and administrative details stored within the database. The vulnerability affects the core database integrity and confidentiality of WordPress sites relying on this specific plugin.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-5431 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 12.1 or later, which includes proper input validation and SQL query preparation. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as monitoring for unusual database queries and implementing web application firewalls to detect potential injection attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper parameterized queries and input sanitization practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. Organizations should conduct thorough security audits of all installed plugins and themes to identify similar vulnerabilities, as this flaw highlights the critical need for proper SQL injection prevention mechanisms in web applications. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments remain essential defensive measures against such threats.