CVE-2026-120318 in Product Gallery Slider & Additional Variation Images Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2026
Product Gallery Slider & Additional Variation Images for WooCommerce 2.3.23 before 2.3.26 contains a missing authorization vulnerability in Codestar backup AJAX actions csf-export, csf-import and csf-reset. Shop Managers can read the csf_backup_nonce from the settings page and supply arbitrary option names via the 'unique' parameter to read, overwrite or delete WordPress options, including modifying wp_user_roles to escalate to administrator.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2026
The vulnerability identified in Product Gallery Slider & Additional Variation Images for WooCommerce versions prior to 2.3.26 represents a critical failure in access control mechanisms within the plugin's backup functionality. Specifically, the AJAX endpoints responsible for exporting, importing, and resetting Codestar framework backups lack proper authorization checks. While these actions are intended for administrative use only, they do not verify that the requesting user possesses the necessary privileges to perform such sensitive operations. This architectural flaw allows any authenticated user with a lower-level role, such as Shop Manager or even Subscriber if logged in, to interact directly with these backend processes by crafting specific HTTP requests to the affected AJAX handlers.
The core technical issue lies in the handling of the unique parameter and the nonce validation process. Although the plugin utilizes nonces for security, an attacker can easily obtain a valid csf_backup_nonce from the public-facing settings page or any other location where it is rendered. By supplying arbitrary option names via the 'unique' parameter alongside this stolen nonce, the attacker bypasses the intended scope of the backup functions. This allows them to read sensitive WordPress options stored in the database, overwrite critical configuration data, or delete essential entries entirely. The lack of strict validation on which specific options can be manipulated means that the attack surface is effectively unbounded within the context of the wp_options table.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data leakage or configuration tampering. It enables a severe privilege escalation path due to WordPress's role management architecture. By modifying the wp_user_roles option, an attacker with limited privileges can alter the capabilities assigned to their own user account or other existing accounts. Specifically, they can add administrator-level capabilities such as manage_options, edit_users, and install_plugins to a Shop Manager account. Once these capabilities are applied, the previously low-privileged user gains full administrative control over the WordPress installation. This effectively neutralizes all role-based security boundaries implemented by the site administrators.
From an industry standards perspective, this vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 Improper Access Control and CWE-613 Insufficient Session Expiration or Termination if session fixation techniques are combined with nonce reuse. In terms of attack vectors, it aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts, as the attacker leverages legitimate credentials to perform unauthorized actions. Furthermore, the ability to modify user roles and capabilities falls under T1078.003 Cloud Accounts or T1548 Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism depending on the specific environment context, but primarily represents a direct abuse of elevation control mechanisms within the application logic.
Mitigation for this vulnerability requires immediate action by site administrators to update the Product Gallery Slider & Additional Variation Images plugin to version 2.3.26 or later, where these authorization checks have been properly implemented. Until an upgrade is possible, temporary mitigations include restricting access to wp-admin and AJAX endpoints via IP whitelisting if feasible, although this is often impractical for public-facing sites. Additionally, implementing a Web Application Firewall with rules that detect anomalous POST requests to Codestar-related AJAX handlers can provide a layer of defense against exploitation attempts. Regular auditing of user roles and capabilities should also be conducted to ensure no unauthorized privilege escalations have occurred if the vulnerability was present during an active attack window.