CVE-2024-1449 in Master Slider Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/02/2024
The Master Slider – Responsive Touch Slider plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's ms_slide shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 3.9.10 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on the 'src' 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1449 affects the Master Slider plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 3.9.10. This represents a critical security flaw that exploits stored cross-site scripting mechanisms within the plugin's ms_slide shortcode functionality. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping measures applied to the 'src' attribute parameter, which accepts user-supplied data without proper validation or encoding. Attackers leveraging this weakness can inject malicious scripts that persist within the plugin's data storage, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users who access pages containing the injected content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the plugin's shortcode processing mechanism where the 'src' attribute parameter fails to properly sanitize user input before storing it in the database. When the shortcode is rendered on WordPress pages, the unsanitized data is output without adequate escaping, creating an environment where malicious scripts can execute in the context of other users' browsers. This stored XSS vulnerability requires only contributor-level permissions or higher, making it accessible to users who typically have limited administrative capabilities. The flaw allows attackers to inject JavaScript code that can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users within the WordPress environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-1449 extends beyond simple script injection as it enables attackers to establish persistent footholds within WordPress installations. Once exploited, the vulnerability can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including credential theft, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration from compromised sites. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that injected scripts remain active until manually removed from the database, potentially affecting all users who view pages containing the malicious content. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for websites with multiple contributors or users who may not regularly monitor plugin functionality for malicious modifications. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered automatically when users access pages containing the injected shortcode, creating a continuous threat that persists until the malicious code is removed from the database.
Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of the Master Slider plugin where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive monitoring of plugin files and database entries for signs of malicious code injection, particularly within the ms_slide shortcode parameters. Security teams should implement network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious script injection patterns and consider implementing content security policies to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. Additionally, administrators should review user permissions and ensure that only trusted individuals have contributor-level access or higher, as this vulnerability requires such permissions to exploit effectively. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a specific implementation weakness that can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious content injection.