CVE-2023-49852
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages using the Responsive Slick Slider WordPress plugin. When exploited, it enables cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks that can steal user sessions, deface websites, or redirect visitors to malicious sites. All WordPress sites using this plugin version 1.4 or earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Responsive Slick Slider WordPress Plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could steal administrator credentials, take full control of the WordPress site, install backdoors, or use the site to attack visitors with malware.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious JavaScript to steal user session cookies, redirect visitors to phishing sites, or deface the website with malicious content.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, the attack would fail to execute malicious scripts, limiting impact to attempted exploitation logs.
🎯 Exploit Status
Basic XSS vulnerabilities are commonly weaponized in automated attacks; the public disclosure includes technical details enabling exploitation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.5 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Responsive Slick Slider'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. If no update appears, manually download version 1.5+ from WordPress repository and replace the plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate responsive-slick-slider
WAF Rule
allImplement Web Application Firewall rules to block XSS payloads targeting the plugin
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the plugin entirely and use alternative slider solutions
- Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for 'Responsive Slick Slider' version 1.4 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get responsive-slick-slider --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version shows 1.5 or higher in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests containing script tags to plugin endpoints
- Multiple failed XSS attempts in web server logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with suspicious script payloads in parameters
- Unexpected JavaScript execution from plugin resources
SIEM Query:
source="web_server" AND (uri="*slick*" OR uri="*slider*") AND (content="<script>" OR content="javascript:")🔗 References
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/responsive-slick-slider/wordpress-responsive-slick-slider-wordpress-plugin-1-4-content-injection-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/responsive-slick-slider/wordpress-responsive-slick-slider-wordpress-plugin-1-4-content-injection-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
