📄 Description (English)
The ER Swiffy Insert plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the [swiffy] shortcode in all versions up to and including 1.0.0. This is due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied shortcode attributes ('n', 'w', 'h'). These attributes are extracted using extract() and directly interpolated into the HTML output without any escaping such as esc_attr(). This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
The ER Swiffy Insert WordPress plugin (versions up to 1.0.0) contains a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in its shortcode handler that allows authenticated contributors to inject malicious scripts. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping of shortcode attributes, enabling persistent script execution when pages are accessed. While requiring authenticated access, this poses significant risk to WordPress installations used by Saudi organizations, particularly those with multiple content contributors.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 16, 2026 15:18
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
Saudi government agencies, educational institutions, and private sector organizations using WordPress for content management are at risk. High-impact sectors include: Government (NCA, CITC) websites and portals, Banking sector (SAMA-regulated institutions) using WordPress for customer-facing content, Healthcare organizations (MOH) with WordPress-based patient information systems, Telecommunications (STC, Mobily) corporate websites, and Media/Publishing organizations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for organizations with multiple content contributors where privilege escalation or insider threats could be leveraged.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Government
Banking
Healthcare
Telecommunications
Education
Media and Publishing
Energy
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
6.8
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Audit all WordPress installations using ER Swiffy Insert plugin and identify all pages/posts containing [swiffy] shortcodes
2. Review contributor and author user accounts for suspicious activity or unauthorized shortcode usage
3. Disable the ER Swiffy Insert plugin immediately if not actively required
4. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block XSS payloads in shortcode attributes
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Contact plugin developer for security patch or consider alternative plugins (Adobe Animate/Flash alternatives)
2. If patch becomes available, test thoroughly in staging environment before production deployment
3. Maintain regular WordPress core and plugin update schedule
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (until patch available):
1. Restrict Contributor role permissions - limit to Subscriber or Editor roles only
2. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to prevent inline script execution
3. Enable WordPress security plugins (Wordfence, Sucuri) with XSS detection rules
4. Implement strict input validation at WAF level for all shortcode parameters
5. Regular security audits of published content for malicious scripts
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor WordPress logs for [swiffy] shortcode usage with suspicious attributes containing script tags, event handlers (onclick, onerror), or encoded payloads
2. Alert on any modifications to posts/pages containing [swiffy] shortcodes by non-admin users
3. Implement IDS/IPS signatures detecting XSS patterns in HTTP requests containing 'n=', 'w=', 'h=' parameters
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تدقيق جميع تثبيتات WordPress التي تستخدم مكون ER Swiffy Insert وتحديد جميع الصفحات/المنشورات التي تحتوي على اختصارات [swiffy]
2. مراجعة حسابات المستخدمين المساهمين والمؤلفين للبحث عن نشاط مريب أو استخدام اختصار غير مصرح به
3. تعطيل مكون ER Swiffy Insert فوراً إذا لم يكن مطلوباً بنشاط
4. تنفيذ قواعد جدار الحماية لتطبيقات الويب (WAF) للكشف عن حقن XSS وحجبها في سمات الاختصار
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. الاتصال بمطور المكون للحصول على تصحيح أمني أو النظر في بدائل (Adobe Animate/Flash)
2. عند توفر التصحيح، اختبره بدقة في بيئة التجريب قبل نشره في الإنتاج
3. الحفاظ على جدول تحديث منتظم لنواة WordPress والمكونات
الضوابط البديلة (حتى توفر التصحيح):
1. تقييد أذونات دور المساهم - حصر الوصول على أدوار المشترك أو المحرر فقط
2. تنفيذ رؤوس سياسة أمان المحتوى (CSP) لمنع تنفيذ البرامج النصية المضمنة
3. تفعيل مكونات أمان WordPress (Wordfence, Sucuri) مع قواعد كشف XSS
4. تنفيذ التحقق الصارم من المدخلات على مستوى WAF لجميع معاملات الاختصار
5. التدقيق الأمني المنتظم للمحتوى المنشور للبحث عن برامج نصية ضارة
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
A.14.2.1 - Secure development policy (input validation and output encoding requirements)
A.14.2.5 - Secure development environment
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
🔵 SAMA CSF
ID.SC-7 - Software, firmware, and information integrity checks
PR.DS-6 - Integrity checking mechanisms
DE.CM-8 - Vulnerability scans
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.14.2.1 - Secure development policy
A.14.2.5 - Secure development environment
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
A.13.1.3 - Segregation of information networks
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
6.5.1 - Injection flaws (if payment data accessible through WordPress)
6.5.7 - Cross-site scripting (XSS)
6.2 - Security patches and updates
🔗 References & Sources 5
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https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/er-swiffy-insert/tags/1.0.0/er-swiffy-insert...
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/er-swiffy-insert/tags/1.0.0/er-swiffy-insert...
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/er-swiffy-insert/trunk/er-swiffy-insert.php#L49
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/er-swiffy-insert/trunk/er-swiffy-insert.php#L56
security@wordfence.com
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/074d9712-9b26-47da-9e24-49854...
security@wordfence.com