CVE-2026-96647 in Listdom Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/02/2026
The Listdom: AI-powered Business Directory with Classifieds Ads Listings plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via 'lsd[remark]' Parameter in all versions up to, and including, 6.1.1 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page. This is exploitable by Subscriber-level users because the listing-creation branch of the AJAX handler omits a capability check, and the required nonce is publicly emitted on any page containing the [listdom-dashboard] shortcode.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2026
The vulnerability identified in The Listdom plugin for WordPress represents a significant security risk due to its potential for Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks. This flaw exists within versions up to 6.1.1 and stems from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms when handling the lsd[remark] parameter. Unlike transient injection vectors, stored vulnerabilities persist in the application's database, meaning that malicious scripts are saved alongside legitimate data and executed every time a user views the affected content. This persistence amplifies the impact of the attack, as it does not require social engineering to trick users into clicking specific links; rather, execution occurs automatically upon page load for any visitor viewing the compromised listing or remark section.
The technical root cause lies in the plugin's AJAX handler logic, specifically within the branch responsible for creating new listings. In this code path, a critical capability check is omitted, allowing lower-privileged users to perform actions that should be restricted to higher-level administrators or editors. Furthermore, the security nonce required to validate these requests is publicly emitted on any page containing the [listdom-dashboard] shortcode. This exposure allows attackers with even Subscriber-level access, which is typically the lowest privilege level in WordPress, to forge valid AJAX requests and inject malicious JavaScript code into the system's data stores without authentication barriers or proper authorization verification.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables authenticated attackers to compromise the integrity of user sessions and potentially steal sensitive information such as cookies, session tokens, or personal data entered by other users. Once executed in a victim's browser context, the injected scripts can perform actions on behalf of the victim, redirect them to phishing sites, or deface the website. The ability for Subscriber-level users to exploit this flaw indicates a severe breakdown in role-based access control and input validation protocols within the plugin architecture. This aligns with CWE-79, which classifies improper neutralization of input during web page generation as Cross-site Scripting, highlighting the failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data before storage or display.
To mitigate this vulnerability, immediate action is required by site administrators to update The Listdom plugin to a version where these issues have been resolved. Developers must ensure that all AJAX handlers implement strict capability checks to verify that the requesting user has sufficient privileges for the specific operation being performed. Additionally, input sanitization functions should be applied rigorously before data is stored in the database, and output escaping mechanisms must be employed whenever data is rendered back into HTML contexts to prevent script execution. The handling of nonces also requires review to ensure they are not unnecessarily exposed on public-facing pages unless absolutely required for specific functionality that cannot be secured through other means.
This incident underscores the importance of adhering to secure coding practices in WordPress plugin development, particularly regarding privilege escalation and input validation. It relates closely to MITRE ATT&CK techniques involving client-side injection, where attackers leverage web application vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code within a victim's browser environment. By addressing these foundational security flaws, developers can prevent unauthorized data manipulation and protect the confidentiality and integrity of both user accounts and website content against exploitation by low-privileged actors.