CVE-2025-68074 in Image Carousel Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/26/2026
Contributor Cross Site Scripting (XSS) in Image Carousel <= 1.0.0.41 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2026
This vulnerability represents a contributor cross site scripting flaw within the Image Carousel plugin for WordPress, affecting versions up to and including 1.0.0.41. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages. When contributors or users with contributor-level privileges attempt to upload or modify image carousel configurations, the plugin does not adequately filter malicious script code that may be embedded within image metadata, captions, or other user-controllable fields. This oversight creates a persistent cross site scripting attack vector where authenticated users can inject malicious javascript payloads into the plugin's administrative interfaces or frontend displays.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation in a web application. The flaw manifests when user-provided content containing script tags, event handlers, or other malicious code is processed by the carousel plugin without proper sanitization before being rendered to end users. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted image files or metadata that includes javascript payloads designed to execute in the context of authenticated administrator sessions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because contributor roles in WordPress typically have limited capabilities but still possess sufficient privileges to manipulate plugin configurations and media assets.
From an operational perspective, this XSS vulnerability significantly impacts the security posture of affected WordPress installations by enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code within the browser context of authenticated users. An attacker who gains access to a contributor account could potentially escalate privileges or perform actions that would otherwise require administrator-level permissions. The attack surface includes both administrative interfaces where contributors manage carousel settings and frontend displays where carousel content is rendered to visitors. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The implications of this vulnerability align with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 technique for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential access through social engineering. Security practitioners should consider implementing multiple layers of defense including input validation at the application level, output encoding of dynamic content, and regular security audits of third-party plugins. Organizations should immediately update to patched versions of the Image Carousel plugin or implement temporary mitigations such as restricting contributor privileges, monitoring for suspicious plugin activity, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of all installed plugins. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices in web applications, particularly those handling user-generated content.