📄 Description (English)
The Single Mailchimp plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the 'single-mailchimp' shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 1.4. This is due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied shortcode attributes (autocomplete, label, placeholder, btn_text, success_msg, error_msg) which are concatenated directly into HTML output by the single_mailchimp() function in shortcodes.php. 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 Single Mailchimp WordPress plugin (versions ≤1.4) contains a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in shortcode attributes that allows authenticated contributors to inject malicious scripts. While requiring contributor-level access, the vulnerability poses significant risk to Saudi organizations using WordPress for public-facing websites, particularly those handling customer data or marketing communications. No patch is currently available, requiring immediate compensating controls.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 28, 2026 11:49
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
High impact for Saudi e-commerce, banking digital marketing, government public portals, and healthcare websites using WordPress with Mailchimp integration. Banking sector (SAMA-regulated) faces reputational and compliance risks if customer data is compromised through XSS injection. Government agencies (NCA oversight) using WordPress for citizen services could face data breach incidents. Telecom and retail sectors heavily reliant on WordPress marketing sites are particularly vulnerable. The vulnerability requires authenticated access, limiting exposure but affecting internal security posture and third-party contractor risks.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Banking and Financial Services
Government and Public Administration
Healthcare and Medical Services
E-commerce and Retail
Telecommunications
Energy and Utilities
Education
Media and Publishing
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
6.8
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Audit all WordPress installations using Single Mailchimp plugin ≤v1.4 across your organization
2. Restrict contributor-level access to only trusted personnel; review and revoke unnecessary contributor accounts
3. Disable the plugin immediately if not actively used; if required, isolate affected pages from public access
4. Review all pages/posts using 'single-mailchimp' shortcodes for signs of XSS injection (unusual script tags, onclick handlers, onerror attributes)
COMPENSATING CONTROLS:
5. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block XSS payloads in shortcode attributes (autocomplete, label, placeholder, btn_text, success_msg, error_msg)
6. Enable WordPress security plugins (Wordfence, Sucuri) with XSS detection and Content Security Policy (CSP) headers
7. Apply strict Content Security Policy headers: script-src 'self'; object-src 'none'; base-uri 'self'
8. Implement input validation at database level for shortcode attributes
9. Monitor WordPress user activity logs for suspicious shortcode modifications
10. Conduct code review of any custom modifications to shortcodes.php
DETECTION:
11. Search WordPress database for shortcodes containing: <script, javascript:, onerror=, onclick=, onload=
12. Monitor access logs for POST requests modifying pages with single-mailchimp shortcodes
13. Alert on any contributor account creating/modifying posts with shortcodes containing HTML/JS
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تدقيق جميع تثبيتات WordPress التي تستخدم مكون Single Mailchimp ≤v1.4 عبر مؤسستك
2. تقييد وصول المساهم إلى الموظفين الموثوقين فقط؛ مراجعة وإلغاء حسابات المساهمين غير الضرورية
3. تعطيل المكون فوراً إذا لم يكن قيد الاستخدام النشط؛ إذا لزم الأمر، عزل الصفحات المتأثرة عن الوصول العام
4. مراجعة جميع الصفحات/المنشورات التي تستخدم اختصارات 'single-mailchimp' للبحث عن علامات حقن XSS
الضوابط التعويضية:
5. تطبيق قواعد جدار حماية تطبيقات الويب (WAF) للكشف عن حمولات XSS وحجبها في سمات الاختصار
6. تفعيل مكونات أمان WordPress (Wordfence, Sucuri) مع رؤوس Content Security Policy
7. تطبيق رؤوس Content Security Policy الصارمة: script-src 'self'; object-src 'none'
8. تطبيق التحقق من صحة الإدخال على مستوى قاعدة البيانات
9. مراقبة سجلات نشاط مستخدمي WordPress للتعديلات المريبة على الاختصارات
10. إجراء مراجعة الكود لأي تعديلات مخصصة على shortcodes.php
الكشف:
11. البحث في قاعدة بيانات WordPress عن اختصارات تحتوي على: <script, javascript:, onerror=, onclick=
12. مراقبة سجلات الوصول لطلبات POST تعديل الصفحات
13. التنبيه على أي حساب مساهم ينشئ/يعدل منشورات تحتوي على HTML/JS
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
5.2.1 - Input validation and output encoding controls
5.3.1 - Access control for content management systems
5.4.1 - Monitoring and logging of security events
6.2.1 - Vulnerability management and patching
🔵 SAMA CSF
ID.GV-1 - Organizational processes to manage cybersecurity risk
PR.AC-1 - Access control policy and procedures
PR.DS-1 - Data security measures including input validation
DE.CM-1 - Detection and monitoring of unauthorized access
RS.RP-1 - Response and recovery planning
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.5.15 - Access control
A.6.5.2 - Secure development policy
A.8.2.3 - Segregation of duties
A.12.2.1 - Input validation
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
6.5.1 - Injection flaws prevention
6.5.7 - Cross-site scripting (XSS) prevention
6.2 - Security patches and updates
7.1 - Limit access to system components
🔗 References & Sources 3
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https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/single-mailchimp/trunk/shortcodes.php#L23
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/single-mailchimp/trunk/shortcodes.php#L9
security@wordfence.com
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/070616c9-b6a3-43d9-a82d-5cbcf...
security@wordfence.com