CVE-2026-61964 in Ninja Tables Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/06/2026
Unauthenticated Cross Site Scripting (XSS) in Ninja Tables <= 5.2.9 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2026
The vulnerability identified as unauthenticated cross site scripting in Ninja Tables versions 5.2.9 and earlier represents a critical security flaw that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications without requiring authentication credentials. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross Site Scripting, specifically targeting the execution of arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session. The flaw exists in the plugin's handling of user input data where insufficient sanitization and validation occurs before rendering content on web pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the Ninja Tables plugin's core functionality. When users create or modify table configurations through the WordPress admin interface, the plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before storing or displaying it in web interfaces. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads containing script tags or other XSS vectors that are then executed when legitimate users view affected pages. The vulnerability impacts both the admin dashboard and frontend display areas where table content is rendered, creating multiple attack surfaces for potential exploitation.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to encompass potential data theft, session hijacking, and privilege escalation within compromised environments. An attacker could leverage this XSS flaw to steal administrator cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject additional malicious code that could compromise the entire WordPress installation. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit means that any user with access to the affected website can potentially perform these attacks without requiring valid credentials, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where administrators may not be continuously monitoring for such threats. This weakness directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Initial Access through Web Shell and T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter using JavaScript.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the vulnerable Ninja Tables plugin to version 5.3.0 or later where the XSS vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block common XSS attack patterns targeting WordPress plugins. Regular security audits and monitoring of plugin updates are essential for maintaining secure WordPress environments, with particular attention to third-party plugin vulnerabilities that could serve as entry points for broader attacks against the hosting infrastructure. Organizations should also implement proper input validation routines and output encoding practices in their own custom code to prevent similar issues from occurring within their own applications.