CVE-2026-1053 in Ivory Search Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/28/2026
The Ivory Search – WordPress Search Plugin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via admin settings in all versions up to, and including, 5.5.13 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with administrator-level permissions and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page. This only affects multi-site installations and installations where unfiltered_html has been disabled.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-1053 affects the Ivory Search WordPress plugin, specifically targeting versions up to and including 5.5.13. This represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that exploits insufficient input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's administrative settings. The vulnerability's impact is particularly significant because it requires only administrator-level permissions or higher to exploit, making it a prime target for attackers who have gained administrative access to WordPress installations. The flaw exists within the plugin's handling of user inputs in administrative contexts, where malicious scripts can be permanently stored and subsequently executed whenever affected pages are accessed by other users.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and demonstrates how inadequate input validation and output escaping creates persistent security risks. In the context of WordPress environments, this vulnerability operates through the plugin's administrative interface where configuration settings are processed and stored. When administrators modify plugin settings, the input validation mechanisms fail to properly sanitize potentially malicious payloads, allowing attackers to inject script code that persists in the database. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that once injected, the malicious scripts remain active until manually removed, creating a persistent threat vector that can affect any user who accesses pages containing the injected content.
The operational impact of CVE-2026-1053 is severe for affected WordPress installations, particularly those operating in multi-site configurations where the vulnerability's exploitation can compromise multiple sites within a single network. The restriction to installations where unfiltered_html has been disabled provides a specific attack window that security administrators must understand and monitor. This limitation means that environments with more permissive HTML filtering are at reduced risk, but installations that have properly restricted user permissions remain vulnerable. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete compromise of administrative functions, credential theft, and unauthorized modifications to website content. Attackers could leverage this flaw to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, or redirect users to malicious websites, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on WordPress for their digital presence.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the stored XSS flaw, following the principle of least privilege for administrative accounts, and implementing comprehensive monitoring of administrative activities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts, along with regular security audits of plugin configurations. The ATT&CK framework's T1078 technique for valid accounts and T1566 for phishing attacks highlights how such vulnerabilities can be leveraged in broader attack campaigns. Additionally, security teams should establish procedures for regular plugin vulnerability assessments and maintain up-to-date security patches across all WordPress installations. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and output escaping practices in web application development, particularly for plugins that handle administrative configurations and user inputs.