CVE-2023-5434 in Superb Slideshow Gallery
Summary
by MITRE • 10/31/2023
The Superb slideshow gallery plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the plugin's shortcode in versions up to, and including, 13.1 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.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5434 affects the Superb slideshow gallery plugin for WordPress, specifically impacting versions up to and including 13.1. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the WordPress ecosystem by exposing sensitive data through unauthorized database access. The vulnerability manifests through the plugin's shortcode functionality, which serves as an entry point for malicious actors to exploit the underlying SQL query structure. The flaw resides in the insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape user-supplied parameters before incorporating them into database queries, creating an avenue for attackers to manipulate the intended query behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter handling within the plugin's database interaction code. When the shortcode processes user input, it fails to employ prepared statements or adequate escaping mechanisms that would normally protect against SQL injection attacks. This allows authenticated attackers who possess subscriber-level permissions or higher to craft malicious input that gets directly embedded into existing SQL queries without proper sanitization. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89, which classifies SQL injection flaws as weaknesses that occur when an application incorporates untrusted data into SQL queries without proper validation or escaping. The attacker can leverage this vulnerability to append additional SQL operations to existing queries, effectively extending the scope of the original database request beyond its intended parameters.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-5434 extends beyond simple data extraction, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform unauthorized database operations that can compromise the entire WordPress installation. Once an attacker gains access through this vulnerability, they can potentially extract user credentials, configuration data, and other sensitive information stored within the database. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only subscriber-level permissions, which significantly increases the attack surface since many WordPress installations have numerous users with this level of access. The implications for organizations using the affected plugin include potential data breaches, unauthorized content modification, and possible lateral movement within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers legitimate credentials compromise through the exploitation of software vulnerabilities, and T1566.001, which addresses credential harvesting through phishing and social engineering, though the latter is more indirect in this case.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-5434 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the SQL injection vulnerability, as the vendor has likely released patches to resolve the issue. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access control measures to limit the potential impact of compromised accounts, ensuring that even if an attacker gains subscriber-level access, they cannot escalate privileges or access critical system components. Database query auditing should be implemented to monitor for unusual SQL patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments of WordPress plugins should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, administrators should enforce the principle of least privilege, limiting user permissions to only what is necessary for their specific roles within the WordPress environment, thereby reducing the attack surface for such vulnerabilities. The remediation process must also include comprehensive testing of updated plugin versions to ensure that the security fix does not introduce compatibility issues with existing website functionality, as proper validation of the patch implementation remains critical to maintaining both security and operational integrity.