Tabs Shortcode and Widget <= 1.17 - Contributor+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting

Vulnerability

The Tabs Shortcode and Widget WordPress plugin through version 1.17 fails to validate and escape some shortcode attributes before outputting them in a page or post where the shortcode is embedded. This allows users with the contributor role and above to perform stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks [1].

Exploitation

An attacker with contributor-level access or higher can craft a shortcode attribute containing malicious JavaScript. When the shortcode is rendered on a page or post, the unsanitized attribute is output directly, executing the injected script in the browser of any visitor viewing the affected content.

Impact

Successful exploitation leads to stored XSS, enabling the attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the victim's session. This can result in data theft, session hijacking, or defacement of the WordPress site.

Mitigation

As of the publication date, no fix has been released. Users should restrict contributor and higher roles to trusted individuals, or consider disabling the plugin until a patched version becomes available [1].