CVE-2025-26751 in Alphabetic Pagination Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/25/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Fahad Mahmood Alphabetic Pagination allows Reflected XSS. This issue affects Alphabetic Pagination: from n/a through 3.2.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-26751 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Fahad Mahmood Alphabetic Pagination plugin, specifically manifesting as a reflected XSS vulnerability during web page generation. This weakness occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability affects all versions of the Alphabetic Pagination plugin from the initial release through version 3.2.1, indicating a prolonged period during which this security gap existed within the software ecosystem. The reflected nature of this XSS vulnerability means that malicious input must be passed through the application to a victim's browser rather than being stored, making it particularly dangerous in scenarios where users might encounter crafted URLs or form submissions containing malicious payloads. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, a classification that directly aligns with the described flaw in the pagination plugin's handling of user-provided data. The issue demonstrates a fundamental breakdown in the application's input validation and output encoding mechanisms, where user-supplied parameters are directly echoed back into HTML contexts without adequate sanitization or escaping. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to both end users and system administrators, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The attack surface expands when considering that pagination plugins often handle user queries, filter parameters, or search terms that users might enter, making these inputs prime targets for XSS exploitation. The reflected nature suggests that attackers could craft malicious URLs containing XSS payloads that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, would execute the malicious script in the context of the vulnerable application. This creates a scenario where social engineering becomes a critical attack vector, as users might be tricked into clicking links that appear legitimate but contain embedded malicious code. The impact extends beyond simple script execution to potential data breaches and system compromise, especially if the vulnerable application handles sensitive user information or administrative functions. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001, which covers Social Engineering through Spearphishing Attachments, as attackers could leverage this flaw to deliver malicious payloads through seemingly benign user interactions. Mitigation strategies should include implementing strict input validation and output encoding practices, particularly for any parameters that are reflected back to users in web page content. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all user inputs using appropriate encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding for output contexts, implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, and ensuring that the application follows secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards. Additionally, regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding in web applications, emphasizing that even seemingly benign plugins can introduce critical security risks when they fail to properly handle user-provided data in web page generation processes.