CVE-2026-13245 in MaxButtons Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/27/2026
The MaxButtons – Create buttons plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the 'view' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 9.8.5 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2026
The MaxButtons – Create buttons plugin for WordPress represents a widely used tool for generating customizable buttons within wordpress environments however a critical security vulnerability has been identified that affects all versions up to and including 9.8.5. This vulnerability manifests as a reflected cross-site scripting flaw that exploits the 'view' parameter, demonstrating a fundamental weakness in the plugin's input validation and output sanitization mechanisms. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that malicious payloads are injected into web pages and executed when users navigate to specifically crafted URLs containing the malicious script.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input sanitization where the plugin fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied data passed through the 'view' parameter. This parameter is likely used to determine which view or interface element should be displayed to users, but without proper sanitization measures, attackers can inject malicious scripts that will execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically allows for arbitrary web script injection, which can range from simple cookie theft to more sophisticated attacks including redirecting users to malicious sites or executing malicious code on victim machines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may interact with various wordpress sites. An attacker need only craft a malicious URL containing the XSS payload and convince a user to click on it through social engineering tactics such as phishing emails or compromised websites. Once executed, the reflected script can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, defacing pages, redirecting users to malicious domains, or even leveraging the authenticated user context if they are logged into wordpress. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which identifies Cross-Site Scripting as a critical weakness in web application security.
This vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the attack framework including initial access through crafted links and execution via browser-based attacks. The reflected nature of the XSS makes it particularly challenging to defend against as the malicious code is not stored on the server but rather injected into responses dynamically. Organizations using this plugin face elevated risk levels since wordpress installations often contain sensitive administrative interfaces and user data that could be compromised through successful exploitation. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can serve as a launching point for more complex attacks including credential theft, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability. System administrators must ensure all wordpress installations are updated promptly and regularly monitor for similar vulnerabilities in other plugins. Input validation mechanisms should be strengthened to properly sanitize all user inputs before processing, while output escaping should be implemented consistently throughout the application. Security headers including content security policy can provide additional protection layers against XSS attacks by restricting script execution within browser contexts. Regular security auditing of wordpress plugins and maintaining updated security practices remain essential defensive measures against similar vulnerabilities in the broader wordpress ecosystem.