CVE-2026-1187 in ZoomifyWP Free Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/14/2026
The ZoomifyWP Free plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the 'filename' parameter of the 'zoomify' shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 1.1 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes. 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 • 02/19/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-1187 affects the ZoomifyWP Free plugin for WordPress, a widely used tool for embedding zoomable images within WordPress sites. This security flaw exists in all versions up to and including 1.1, representing a significant risk to WordPress installations that utilize this plugin. The vulnerability manifests through the 'filename' parameter of the 'zoomify' shortcode, which serves as an entry point for malicious code injection. The core issue lies in the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input and inadequately escape output, creating an environment where malicious scripts can persist and execute without proper validation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode processing logic. When administrators or contributors provide a filename parameter through the zoomify shortcode, the plugin fails to properly sanitize this input before incorporating it into the page output. This lack of input sanitization creates a persistent cross-site scripting vector where attackers can inject malicious JavaScript code that will execute whenever any user accesses a page containing the compromised shortcode. The vulnerability specifically targets the filename parameter, which is processed through the plugin's shortcode handler without adequate escaping or validation, allowing for arbitrary code execution within the context of the victim's browser session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is particularly concerning given that it requires only Contributor-level access or higher to exploit, which represents a relatively low privilege threshold for WordPress sites. This means that users who have been granted contributor permissions or above, including editors and administrators, can leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious scripts that will execute against other users who access affected pages. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that once the malicious code is injected, it persists in the database and will execute every time the compromised page is accessed, potentially affecting multiple users over extended periods. This makes the vulnerability especially dangerous in collaborative environments where multiple users have contributor privileges or higher.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient output escaping, where user-provided data is directly incorporated into web page content without proper sanitization. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1566, which covers "Phishing with Social Engineering" techniques, as attackers can use this vulnerability to craft malicious payloads that appear legitimate to end users. The vulnerability also maps to T1059, which involves "Command and Scripting Interpreter" techniques, as the injected scripts can execute commands within user browsers and potentially establish further attack vectors.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability involves immediate plugin updates to versions that address the input sanitization and output escaping issues. WordPress administrators should ensure that all instances of the ZoomifyWP Free plugin are updated to the latest version that includes proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms. Additionally, implementing proper access controls to limit contributor privileges to only necessary functions can reduce the attack surface. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect suspicious shortcode usage patterns, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation practices, as recommended in OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly the requirement for proper sanitization of user-supplied data before incorporating it into web page content.