📄 Description (English)
The Shortcode Buddy plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Shortcode Attributes in all versions up to, and including, 0.1.9.5 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. 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 Shortcode Buddy WordPress plugin contains a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting versions up to 0.1.9.5. Authenticated users with contributor-level access can inject malicious scripts into shortcode attributes that execute when pages are viewed. While currently unpatched, the medium CVSS score (6.4) and requirement for authenticated access limit immediate risk, but organizations using this plugin should prioritize remediation planning.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 28, 2026 21:33
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
Saudi organizations operating WordPress-based websites, particularly government agencies, educational institutions, and private sector companies using WordPress for content management, are at risk. The vulnerability primarily affects organizations with multiple content contributors or those managing large WordPress installations. Government entities under NCA oversight and financial institutions managing public-facing websites are most vulnerable due to potential data exposure and reputational damage. The impact is elevated for organizations with inadequate access controls over contributor accounts.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Government and Public Administration
Education and Universities
Healthcare and Medical Institutions
Financial Services and Banking
Telecommunications
Media and Publishing
E-commerce and Retail
Non-Profit Organizations
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
5.8
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
Immediate Actions:
1. Audit all WordPress installations using Shortcode Buddy plugin and identify current version
2. Review contributor and author-level user accounts for suspicious activity and recent shortcode modifications
3. Disable the Shortcode Buddy plugin immediately if not critical to operations
Patching Guidance:
1. Monitor the plugin's official repository for security updates
2. Contact the plugin developer for patch timeline and interim security measures
3. If patch becomes available, test in staging environment before production deployment
Compensating Controls (until patch available):
1. Restrict contributor-level access to only trusted, verified users
2. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block XSS payloads in shortcode attributes
3. Enable WordPress security plugins with XSS detection capabilities
4. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to mitigate XSS impact
5. Regular audits of page/post content for suspicious shortcode usage
Detection Rules:
1. Monitor database for shortcode attributes containing script tags, event handlers (onclick, onerror), or JavaScript protocols
2. Log all modifications to pages/posts containing Shortcode Buddy shortcodes
3. Alert on contributor account activities involving shortcode creation/modification
4. Implement file integrity monitoring on WordPress core and plugin files
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تدقيق جميع تثبيتات ووردبريس التي تستخدم مكون Shortcode Buddy وتحديد الإصدار الحالي
2. مراجعة حسابات المستخدمين على مستوى المساهم والمؤلف للنشاط المريب والتعديلات الأخيرة على الاختصار
3. تعطيل مكون Shortcode Buddy فوراً إذا لم يكن حرجاً للعمليات
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. مراقبة مستودع المكون الرسمي للتحديثات الأمنية
2. الاتصال بمطور المكون للحصول على جدول زمني للتصحيح والتدابير الأمنية المؤقتة
3. إذا أصبح التصحيح متاحاً، اختبره في بيئة التجريب قبل نشره في الإنتاج
الضوابط البديلة (حتى توفر التصحيح):
1. تقييد الوصول على مستوى المساهم للمستخدمين الموثوقين والمتحققين فقط
2. تنفيذ قواعد جدار الحماية لتطبيقات الويب (WAF) للكشف عن حمولات XSS وحجبها في سمات الاختصار
3. تفعيل مكونات أمان ووردبريس مع قدرات الكشف عن XSS
4. تنفيذ رؤوس سياسة أمان المحتوى (CSP) للتخفيف من تأثير XSS
5. التدقيق المنتظم لمحتوى الصفحات/المنشورات للاستخدام المريب للاختصار
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة قاعدة البيانات لسمات الاختصار التي تحتوي على علامات البرامج النصية أو معالجات الأحداث أو بروتوكولات JavaScript
2. تسجيل جميع التعديلات على الصفحات/المنشورات التي تحتوي على اختصارات Shortcode Buddy
3. التنبيه على أنشطة حساب المساهم التي تتضمن إنشاء/تعديل الاختصار
4. تنفيذ مراقبة سلامة الملفات على ملفات ووردبريس الأساسية والمكونات
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.14.2.1 - Information security requirements in supplier relationships
ECC 2024 A.5.1.1 - Policies for information security
ECC 2024 A.14.2.5 - Supplier security incident management
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF ID.GV-1 - Organizational governance
SAMA CSF PR.AC-1 - Access control policy and procedures
SAMA CSF DE.CM-1 - Detection and analysis
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.5.1 - Policies for information security
ISO 27001:2022 A.6.1 - Screening
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.2 - Information security onboarding, re-training and awareness
ISO 27001:2022 A.14.2 - Supplier security
🔗 References & Sources 3
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https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/shortcode-buddy/trunk/shortcodes/shortcodes....
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/shortcode-buddy/trunk/shortcodes/shortcodes....
security@wordfence.com
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/2a5eeae6-313a-4244-9d6a-58382...
security@wordfence.com