CVE-2025-23692 in Slider for Writers Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/16/2025
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Artem Anikeev Slider for Writers allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Slider for Writers: from n/a through 1.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2025
The CVE-2025-23692 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Artem Anikeev Slider for Writers plugin, where a cross-site request forgery vulnerability has been identified that can lead to stored cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of user input and request processing mechanisms, creating a dangerous chain reaction that can compromise user sessions and execute malicious code in the context of affected websites. The issue specifically impacts versions of the Slider for Writers plugin ranging from an unspecified version through 1.3, indicating that users operating within this version range are potentially exposed to this attack vector.
The technical flaw manifests when the plugin fails to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied data that is subsequently stored and later rendered in web pages without adequate protection mechanisms. This creates a scenario where malicious actors can craft specially crafted requests that, when processed by the vulnerable plugin, result in the storage of malicious payloads within the application's database or configuration files. The stored data then gets executed when legitimate users interact with the affected pages, leading to the execution of arbitrary JavaScript code in their browsers. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-352 category of Cross-Site Request Forgery, which is classified as a critical weakness in web application security. The combination of CSRF and stored XSS creates a particularly dangerous attack surface where attackers can bypass traditional security measures and establish persistent malicious presence within target environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it allows attackers to perform actions on behalf of authenticated users with full privileges. This includes modifying content, creating new user accounts, accessing sensitive data, and potentially escalating privileges within the compromised system. The stored nature of the XSS payload means that the attack can persist even after the initial exploit attempt, making detection and remediation more challenging for system administrators. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to compromise entire websites by injecting malicious scripts that can redirect users to phishing sites, steal cookies, or perform other malicious activities. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which involves phishing attacks through email, as attackers can use the stored XSS to create more sophisticated and persistent phishing campaigns that target users within the compromised website environment.
Organizations utilizing the Slider for Writers plugin should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to the latest version of the plugin where the vulnerability has been patched and properly validated. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms can help prevent the storage of malicious payloads, while robust CSRF token implementation ensures that unauthorized requests cannot be executed. Network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect suspicious patterns related to this vulnerability, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify any potential exploitation attempts. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed, while regular security updates and patch management processes should be established to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in the future.