CVE-2026-97253 in LayerSlider Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2026
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Kreatura LayerSlider allows Reflected XSS.
This issue affects LayerSlider: from n/a through 8.4.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2026
The identified security flaw represents a classic instance of improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly categorized under the Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability class. Specifically, this is a reflected XSS vulnerability located within Kreatura LayerSlider, a popular WordPress plugin used for creating responsive sliders and presentations on websites. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to adequately sanitize or encode user-supplied input before including it in the HTML output sent back to the browser. This lack of proper validation allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts that are executed by the victim's web browser when they interact with a specially crafted link or URL parameter associated with the vulnerable component.
From a technical perspective, reflected XSS differs from stored XSS in that the malicious script is not permanently stored within the target application but is instead immediately returned as part of the HTTP response. In this specific case, an attacker can construct a URI containing embedded JavaScript code and trick a user into clicking it or visiting it through social engineering techniques such as phishing emails or deceptive links. When the victim's browser processes the request, the server reflects the unvalidated input back in the response body without applying necessary encoding rules like HTML entity encoding. Consequently, the browser interprets the injected script as legitimate code and executes it within the context of the vulnerable website. This execution environment grants the malicious script access to all cookies, session tokens, local storage data, and other sensitive information associated with that domain due to same-origin policy constraints.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for both end-users and site administrators. For users, successful exploitation can lead to account hijacking if session management mechanisms are compromised through cookie theft. Attackers may also perform actions on behalf of the victim, such as changing passwords or making purchases, a technique known as Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) facilitated by XSS. Furthermore, attackers can deface the website's appearance, redirect users to malicious sites hosting malware, or harvest sensitive personal information entered into forms on the page. For site owners, this translates directly into reputational damage and potential loss of customer trust if their WordPress installation is found to be compromised due to an outdated plugin version.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which defines Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting'). It also maps closely to the MITRE ATT&CK framework technique T1059, specifically sub-technique 007 for JavaScript execution in web browsers. The exploitation vector typically falls under Initial Access via Spearphishing Link or Exploit Public-Facing Application, depending on how the payload is delivered and whether it targets a publicly accessible interface directly. Understanding these mappings helps security teams prioritize remediation efforts based on established industry standards for risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
To mitigate this vulnerability, immediate action must be taken to update Kreatura LayerSlider to version 8.4.1 or later, where the developers have addressed the input validation flaws. Until an upgrade is possible, administrators should implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules that detect and block common XSS payloads in HTTP requests targeting the plugin's endpoints. Additionally, enforcing strict Content Security Policy headers can help mitigate the impact of any successful injection by restricting the sources from which scripts are allowed to load or execute. Regular security audits and patch management processes are essential to ensure that all third-party plugins remain current with their latest secure releases, thereby reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries exploiting known software defects.