📄 Description (English)
The KIA Subtitle plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's `the-subtitle` shortcode `before` and `after` attributes in all versions up to, and including, 4.0.1. This is due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes. 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 KIA Subtitle WordPress plugin (versions ≤4.0.1) contains a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the `the-subtitle` shortcode's `before` and `after` attributes. Authenticated attackers with Contributor-level access can inject malicious scripts that execute for all page visitors. While no patch is currently available, the medium CVSS score (6.4) and requirement for authenticated access limit immediate risk, though persistent code injection poses significant concerns for WordPress-based government and corporate websites in Saudi Arabia.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 23, 2026 09:19
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
Saudi organizations using WordPress with the KIA Subtitle plugin face persistent XSS injection risks, particularly affecting: (1) Government agencies and NCA-regulated entities hosting public-facing WordPress sites; (2) Banking and financial institutions using WordPress for customer portals or informational sites; (3) Healthcare providers and SEHA-affiliated organizations with WordPress-based patient information systems; (4) Telecommunications companies (STC, Mobily, Zain) using WordPress for service portals; (5) Educational institutions and research centers. The vulnerability allows authenticated insiders (disgruntled employees, compromised accounts) to inject malware, credential harvesters, or defacement code that affects all site visitors, potentially compromising customer data and institutional reputation.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Government & Public Administration
Banking & Financial Services
Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
Energy & Utilities
Telecommunications
Education & Research
Retail & E-commerce
Media & Publishing
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application (WordPress plugin vulnerability)
T1598 - Phishing: Spearphishing Link (XSS payload delivery via injected pages)
T1566 - Phishing: Phishing (credential harvesting via injected forms)
T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter (JavaScript execution)
T1547 - Boot or Logon Autostart Execution (persistent XSS payload)
T1583 - Acquire Infrastructure (attacker-controlled domains in injected scripts)
T1608 - Stage Capabilities (malware staging via XSS)
T1204 - User Execution (victim clicks on malicious link in injected content)
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
6.8
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Audit all WordPress installations using KIA Subtitle plugin ≤4.0.1 across your organization
2. Review user access logs for Contributor+ accounts with recent activity on pages using the `the-subtitle` shortcode
3. Inspect all pages/posts containing `[the-subtitle]` shortcodes for suspicious `before` or `after` attribute values
4. Disable the plugin immediately if not actively used: Settings > Plugins > Deactivate KIA Subtitle
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Contact KIA Subtitle plugin developers for patch timeline; monitor WordPress.org plugin repository for updates
2. If patch becomes available, test in staging environment before production deployment
3. Consider alternative subtitle plugins with active security maintenance (e.g., Subtitle, Simple Subtitle)
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (until patch available):
1. Restrict Contributor-level access: Audit and remove unnecessary Contributor accounts; use Editor role only for trusted staff
2. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect/block script injection in shortcode attributes
3. Enable WordPress security plugins (Wordfence, Sucuri) with XSS detection signatures
4. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict inline script execution
5. Use WordPress user role plugins to limit shortcode usage to Administrator-only
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor WordPress database for shortcodes containing: `<script`, `javascript:`, `onerror=`, `onload=`, `eval(` in `before`/`after` attributes
2. Log all Contributor+ user edits to posts/pages containing `the-subtitle` shortcode
3. Alert on any changes to plugin files or database modifications to post_content containing suspicious patterns
4. Implement SIEM rules: Search for `the-subtitle` shortcode with HTML/JavaScript entities in post metadata
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تدقيق جميع تثبيتات WordPress التي تستخدم مكون KIA Subtitle ≤4.0.1 عبر مؤسستك
2. مراجعة سجلات وصول المستخدمين للحسابات ذات مستوى المساهم وما فوقه مع النشاط الأخير على الصفحات التي تستخدم اختصار `the-subtitle`
3. فحص جميع الصفحات/المنشورات التي تحتوي على اختصارات `[the-subtitle]` للقيم المريبة في سمات `before` أو `after`
4. تعطيل المكون فوراً إذا لم يكن قيد الاستخدام النشط: الإعدادات > المكونات > إلغاء تفعيل KIA Subtitle
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. اتصل بمطوري مكون KIA Subtitle للحصول على جدول زمني للتصحيح؛ راقب مستودع مكونات WordPress.org للتحديثات
2. إذا أصبح التصحيح متاحاً، اختبره في بيئة التدريج قبل نشره في الإنتاج
3. فكر في مكونات العناوين الفرعية البديلة ذات الصيانة الأمنية النشطة
الضوابط التعويضية (حتى توفر التصحيح):
1. تقييد وصول مستوى المساهم: تدقيق وإزالة حسابات المساهمين غير الضرورية؛ استخدام دور المحرر فقط للموظفين الموثوقين
2. تنفيذ قواعد جدار حماية تطبيقات الويب (WAF) للكشف عن حقن البرامج النصية وحجبها
3. تفعيل مكونات أمان WordPress (Wordfence, Sucuri) مع توقيعات كشف XSS
4. تنفيذ رؤوس سياسة أمان المحتوى (CSP) لتقييد تنفيذ البرامج النصية المضمنة
5. استخدام مكونات أدوار مستخدمي WordPress لتقييد استخدام الاختصارات على المسؤول فقط
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة قاعدة بيانات WordPress للاختصارات التي تحتوي على: `<script`, `javascript:`, `onerror=`, `onload=`, `eval(` في سمات `before`/`after`
2. تسجيل جميع تعديلات مستخدمي المساهم+ على المنشورات/الصفحات التي تحتوي على اختصار `the-subtitle`
3. التنبيه على أي تغييرات في ملفات المكون أو تعديلات قاعدة البيانات على محتوى المنشور يحتوي على أنماط مريبة
4. تنفيذ قواعس SIEM: البحث عن اختصار `the-subtitle` مع كيانات HTML/JavaScript في بيانات المنشور الوصفية
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.14.2.1 - Information security requirements for supplier relationships (plugin supply chain)
ECC 2024 A.14.2.5 - Addressing information security in supplier agreements (vendor patch management)
ECC 2024 A.6.1.1 - Screening of personnel (access control for Contributor+ roles)
ECC 2024 A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities (vulnerability assessment and remediation)
🔵 SAMA CSF
Governance & Risk Management - GRM-01: Cybersecurity governance and risk management framework
Governance & Risk Management - GRM-02: Third-party risk management (plugin vendor assessment)
Protective Security - PS-01: Access control and authentication
Protective Security - PS-02: Data protection and encryption
Resilience & Recovery - RR-01: Incident response and business continuity
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.5.15 - Supplier relationships (plugin vendor security)
ISO 27001:2022 A.6.1 - Screening (access control for user roles)
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.1 - User endpoint devices (web application security)
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.22 - Restricting information systems access (authentication and authorization)
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.24 - Use of cryptography (CSP and secure headers)
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
PCI DSS 3.2.1 - Render PAN unreadable (if payment data exposed via XSS)
PCI DSS 6.5.7 - Cross-site scripting (XSS) prevention
PCI DSS 7.1 - Limit access to system components by business need-to-know
PCI DSS 12.2 - Implement a policy that addresses information security for all personnel
🔗 References & Sources 7
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https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/kia-subtitle/tags/4.0.1/kia-subtitle.php#L329
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/kia-subtitle/tags/4.0.1/kia-subtitle.php#L359
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/kia-subtitle/tags/4.0.2/kia-subtitle.php#L369
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/kia-subtitle/tags/4.0.2/kia-subtitle.php#L370
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/kia-subtitle/trunk/kia-subtitle.php#L329
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/kia-subtitle/trunk/kia-subtitle.php#L359
security@wordfence.com
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/a9a52097-0d85-4036-9b74-f35fe...
security@wordfence.com