CVE-2025-49290 in Off-Canvas Sidebars & Menus Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/27/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Jory Hogeveen Off-Canvas Sidebars & Menus (Slidebars) allows Reflected XSS. This issue affects Off-Canvas Sidebars & Menus (Slidebars): from n/a through 0.5.8.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2025
This vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that specifically impacts the Off-Canvas Sidebars & Menus (Slidebars) plugin for WordPress. The issue manifests as an improper neutralization of input during web page generation, creating a reflected XSS attack vector that can be exploited by malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of a victim's browser. The vulnerability affects all versions of the plugin from the initial release through version 0.5.8.4, indicating a long-standing security gap that has persisted across multiple iterations of the software.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when the plugin fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input parameters before incorporating them into dynamically generated web pages. When a malicious user crafts a specially crafted URL containing script tags or other malicious payloads and tricks a victim into clicking it, the plugin's inadequate input validation allows the malicious code to be reflected back to the victim's browser and subsequently executed. This reflected nature means that the attack payload is not stored on the server but rather injected through the request parameters and immediately reflected in the response, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent through traditional server-side storage mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, redirection to malicious sites, and potential data exfiltration from authenticated users. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, modify content, or even establish persistent backdoors within the compromised WordPress environment. The reflected nature of the attack means that defenders have limited time to respond to individual incidents, as each exploit must be crafted specifically for a particular request and cannot be stored for later use.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for the initial access phase through spearphishing with a link. Organizations running affected versions of the Slidebars plugin should immediately implement patch management procedures to upgrade to version 0.5.8.5 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization fixes. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls, input validation rules, and monitoring for suspicious URL patterns. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, and user education about avoiding suspicious links should be maintained as part of a comprehensive security posture. The remediation process should also include reviewing and testing all plugin updates in a staging environment before deployment to production systems to prevent potential compatibility issues.