CVE-2026-14318 in GiveWP Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
The GiveWP WordPress plugin before 4.16.3 does not escape a donation-form template setting before outputting it in an HTML attribute, allowing users with the GiveWP Worker role and above to inject arbitrary web scripts that execute on the public donation form viewed by any visitor.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2026
The vulnerability in GiveWP WordPress plugin versions prior to 4.16.3 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that stems from insufficient output escaping of user-controllable data within HTML attributes. This issue affects the donation-form template settings where the plugin fails to properly sanitize or escape input values before rendering them in HTML contexts, creating an avenue for malicious code injection. The vulnerability specifically targets users who possess the GiveWP Worker role or higher privileges, which typically includes administrators, editors, and other trusted personnel within the WordPress ecosystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of donation form template settings where unescaped data flows directly into HTML attributes without proper sanitization measures. When these maliciously crafted inputs are rendered in public-facing donation forms, any visitor who accesses the page becomes susceptible to executing arbitrary JavaScript code within their browser context. This cross-site scripting vector operates at the client-side level, allowing attackers to potentially steal session cookies, deface websites, or redirect users to malicious domains.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the GiveWP plugin and affects all website visitors who encounter the compromised donation forms. The vulnerability's scope is particularly concerning because it allows authenticated users with relatively low privileges to compromise the entire public-facing interface, potentially leading to widespread client-side attacks across multiple donation campaigns. The risk assessment indicates this vulnerability could be exploited by insiders or attackers who have gained access to accounts with Worker permissions or higher.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the GiveWP plugin to version 4.16.3 or later, which implements proper output escaping mechanisms for template settings. Organizations should also implement additional protective measures including role-based access controls that limit who can modify donation form templates, regular security audits of plugin configurations, and monitoring of user activity within the WordPress admin interface. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 Cross-Site Scripting and ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, highlighting the need for comprehensive input validation and output encoding practices throughout the application stack.
This particular vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper sanitization practices in web applications, particularly when dealing with user-controllable data that gets rendered in HTML contexts. The flaw represents a classic example of how insufficient escaping can lead to severe client-side security implications, emphasizing the need for defense-in-depth strategies that include both server-side validation and client-side protection mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers as an additional protective layer against potential exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in their WordPress environments.