CVE-2026-57722 in Enable Media Replace Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/01/2026
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in ShortPixel Enable Media Replace allows Stored XSS.
This issue affects Enable Media Replace: from n/a through 4.2.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2026
The vulnerability described represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness that resides within the ShortPixel Enable Media Replace plugin for WordPress systems. This stored cross-site scripting flaw enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages that are subsequently executed by unsuspecting users. The vulnerability specifically manifests during the web page generation process when user input is not properly sanitized or neutralized before being rendered in the browser environment. The issue affects versions ranging from unspecified earlier releases through version 4.2.1, indicating a prolonged period where this security weakness remained unaddressed within the plugin's codebase.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the media replacement functionality. When administrators or users upload or replace media files through the plugin interface, the system fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before storing and subsequently displaying it in web pages. This creates an environment where malicious actors can embed javascript payloads within file names, metadata, or other input fields that are later rendered without proper context-aware escaping. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that once malicious input is accepted and saved by the system, it persists in the database and executes every time affected pages are loaded, making it particularly dangerous for administrators who may unknowingly encounter these scripts during routine operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to encompass potential data theft, session hijacking, and complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this weakness to steal administrator credentials, modify content, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users with elevated privileges. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that media replacement functionality is commonly used by administrators who may be less cautious about input validation compared to other system components. According to the CWE database, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious file uploads. The stored nature of the XSS makes this particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over extended periods without requiring repeated exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from system administrators who should upgrade to the latest version of the plugin where the XSS issue has been resolved. The fix typically involves implementing proper input sanitization routines that escape special characters before storing user data and ensuring that all dynamically generated content is properly encoded for the appropriate execution context. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including web application firewalls, regular security audits, and monitoring for suspicious file upload activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of validating all user inputs regardless of their source and demonstrates how seemingly benign functionality like media replacement can become a critical attack vector when proper security controls are not implemented. Security teams should also consider implementing content security policies to limit the execution scope of any remaining malicious scripts and establish regular patch management procedures to ensure timely remediation of such vulnerabilities across all installed plugins and themes.