CVE-2025-8690 in Simple Responsive Slider Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2025
The Simple Responsive Slider plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting in all versions up to, and including, 2.0 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, 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 • 08/12/2025
The Simple Responsive Slider plugin for WordPress presents a critical security vulnerability classified as stored cross-site scripting in versions up to and including 20. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. The flaw specifically affects authenticated attackers who possess Contributor-level access or higher privileges within WordPress installations. Such attackers can leverage this weakness to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's configuration pages or slider content areas, where these scripts remain stored and await execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within the scope of CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a common web application security flaw occurring when an application includes untrusted data in a new web page without proper validation or escaping. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that malicious scripts are permanently saved within the affected WordPress database, making them persistent threats that execute every time affected pages are loaded. This characteristic significantly amplifies the attack surface and potential impact compared to reflected XSS vulnerabilities.
Operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only Contributor-level access, which represents a relatively low privilege threshold that many WordPress installations may not adequately secure. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that target administrators or other high-privilege users who might view the affected slider content, potentially leading to complete compromise of the WordPress installation. The attack vector operates through standard WordPress administrative interfaces, making detection challenging as legitimate administrative activities may mask malicious script injection attempts.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as this represents the most direct solution to the identified flaw. Organizations should implement strict input validation and output escaping measures for all user-supplied content within WordPress plugins, following secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten recommendations. Additionally, implementing role-based access controls and privilege separation can limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities by ensuring that users with Contributor-level access cannot perform actions that might compromise system integrity. Network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to identify suspicious script injection patterns, while regular security audits of WordPress plugins can help identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can execute malicious scripts within the context of affected web applications, potentially leading to further compromise through techniques such as credential theft or lateral movement within the compromised environment.