CVE-2023-5436 in Vertical Marquee Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/31/2023
The Vertical marquee plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the plugin's shortcode in versions up to, and including, 7.1 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2026
The Vertical marquee plugin for WordPress represents a widely used content display solution that allows administrators to create scrolling text or image displays on their websites. This particular vulnerability affects versions up to and including 7.1, making it a significant concern for WordPress installations that rely on this plugin for their content presentation needs. The flaw exists within the plugin's shortcode implementation which processes user-supplied parameters without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this SQL injection vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly escape user input before incorporating it into database queries. When administrators or authorized users invoke the plugin's shortcode functionality, the system accepts parameters that should be treated as potentially malicious input. The vulnerability manifests because the plugin does not utilize prepared statements or proper parameter binding techniques that would isolate user input from the SQL execution context. This lack of input validation creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries through crafted shortcode parameters.
Authenticated attackers with subscriber-level permissions or higher can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the WordPress database. The impact extends beyond simple data retrieval as attackers can construct complex queries that may allow them to extract sensitive information including user credentials, administrative details, and other confidential data stored within the WordPress database. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where insufficient escaping of user-supplied data leads to unauthorized database access. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, as attackers can leverage existing user permissions to escalate their access within the system.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are substantial for WordPress administrators who may not be aware of the specific plugin's exposure. Since the vulnerability requires only subscriber-level permissions, it can be exploited by users who have legitimate access to the WordPress system but lack administrative privileges. This makes the attack vector particularly dangerous as it can be initiated by insiders or compromised user accounts. The vulnerability affects not just the plugin's functionality but potentially the entire WordPress installation's security posture, as database access can lead to further exploitation opportunities including privilege escalation and data exfiltration. Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including plugin updates, input validation hardening, and monitoring for suspicious shortcode usage patterns.
Mitigation efforts should prioritize immediate plugin version updates to address the identified SQL injection vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries within the plugin's codebase would prevent similar issues from occurring. Database access controls should be reviewed to ensure that the WordPress database user account has minimal required privileges, following the principle of least privilege. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual shortcode parameter patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities across the entire WordPress ecosystem. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining updated security practices and conducting regular penetration testing to identify potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors.