CVE-2025-28879 Overview
CVE-2025-28879 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the aumsrini Bee Layer Slider plugin for WordPress. The flaw affects all plugin versions up to and including 1.1. Attackers with authenticated low-privileged access can inject malicious scripts that persist in the plugin's stored content. When other users, including administrators, view the affected pages, the injected scripts execute in their browser context. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-79] for Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can inject persistent JavaScript payloads that execute in the browsers of site visitors and administrators, enabling session theft and content manipulation.
Affected Products
- Aumsrini Bee Layer Slider plugin for WordPress
- All versions from n/a through 1.1
- WordPress installations using the bee-layer-slider plugin
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-03-11 - CVE-2025-28879 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-28879
Vulnerability Analysis
The Bee Layer Slider plugin fails to properly neutralize user-supplied input before rendering it in web pages. This missing sanitization allows attackers to inject HTML and JavaScript into slider configuration fields. The malicious content persists in the WordPress database and executes each time a user loads a page containing the affected slider.
Because the scope changes from the vulnerable component to the browser context of the victim, the impact extends beyond the plugin itself. Injected scripts run with the privileges of the viewing user, which can include site administrators. This creates opportunities for session hijacking, credential harvesting through fake login prompts, and unauthorized administrative actions performed on behalf of the victim.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper input validation and output encoding within the plugin's slider content handling. User-controlled data is stored and later rendered without contextual escaping. The plugin does not enforce sanitization callbacks such as wp_kses_post or esc_html on fields that accept rich content, allowing raw HTML and <script> tags to reach the browser.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires an authenticated user with contributor-level access or higher who can create or edit slider content. The attacker crafts slider entries containing JavaScript payloads and saves them through the plugin's administrative interface. User interaction is required for the payload to fire, typically through an administrator or visitor loading a page that renders the malicious slider. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for full technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-28879
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected <script>, onerror, or onload attributes in slider entries stored in the wp_posts or plugin-specific database tables.
- Outbound requests from visitor browsers to unfamiliar domains after loading pages containing the Bee Layer Slider.
- Administrator sessions performing unexpected actions such as user creation or plugin installation shortly after viewing slider-enabled pages.
Detection Strategies
- Audit WordPress database entries associated with the bee-layer-slider plugin for HTML event handlers and script tags.
- Deploy a web application firewall rule to flag stored content containing JavaScript payloads submitted to the plugin's endpoints.
- Monitor WordPress access logs for POST requests to plugin administrative endpoints from lower-privileged accounts.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress activity logging to capture slider creation and modification events with user attribution.
- Alert on Content Security Policy violation reports originating from pages that embed the Bee Layer Slider.
- Track new or modified administrator accounts following slider content changes to identify post-exploitation activity.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-28879
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate the Bee Layer Slider plugin until a patched version is available from the vendor.
- Restrict contributor and author role assignments to trusted users only, reducing the pool of accounts that can inject payloads.
- Audit existing slider content and remove any entries containing script tags or inline event handlers.
Patch Information
No vendor patch is referenced in the available advisories at the time of publication. The Patchstack Vulnerability Report tracks version 1.1 as vulnerable with no fixed release indicated. Monitor the WordPress plugin repository for updates beyond version 1.1.
Workarounds
- Uninstall the plugin and replace it with a maintained alternative that follows the WordPress Plugin Handbook sanitization guidance.
- Deploy a Content Security Policy that restricts inline script execution on pages rendered by WordPress.
- Apply a web application firewall ruleset targeting stored XSS patterns in WordPress plugin endpoints.
# Deactivate the vulnerable plugin using WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate bee-layer-slider
wp plugin delete bee-layer-slider
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
