CVE-2026-25362: FooGallery Plugin Stored XSS Vulnerability

CVE-2026-25362 Overview

CVE-2026-25362 is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the FooGallery WordPress plugin developed by FooPlugins. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist within the application and execute in victims' browsers when they view affected gallery content.

Critical Impact

Attackers can inject persistent malicious JavaScript into FooGallery content, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or performing actions on behalf of authenticated administrators.

Affected Products

• FooGallery WordPress Plugin versions up to and including 3.1.11
• WordPress installations with vulnerable FooGallery plugin versions

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-19 - CVE CVE-2026-25362 published to NVD
• 2026-02-19 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-25362

Vulnerability Analysis

This Stored XSS vulnerability in FooGallery allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that are permanently stored within the WordPress database. Unlike reflected XSS attacks, stored XSS payloads persist and execute every time a user views the compromised gallery content. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input sanitization in the gallery creation or editing functionality, where user-supplied data is not properly neutralized before being rendered in HTML output.

The attack requires the attacker to have at least contributor-level access to the WordPress installation, allowing them to create or modify gallery content containing the malicious payload. Once injected, the payload executes in the browser context of any user viewing the affected gallery, including administrators with elevated privileges.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79). The FooGallery plugin fails to properly sanitize and escape user-controlled input before storing it in the database and subsequently rendering it in HTML output. This allows HTML and JavaScript code to be interpreted by the browser rather than being displayed as plain text.

Attack Vector

The attack vector involves an authenticated user with sufficient WordPress privileges (typically contributor or above) who can create or modify FooGallery content. The attacker injects malicious JavaScript code into gallery fields that accept user input, such as gallery titles, descriptions, or custom fields. When this content is saved to the database and later rendered on the frontend or backend, the malicious script executes in the context of any user viewing that content.

The exploitation typically follows this pattern: an attacker with limited privileges crafts a gallery containing XSS payloads in input fields that are not properly sanitized. When an administrator views or edits the gallery in the WordPress admin panel, the malicious script executes with the administrator's session, potentially allowing privilege escalation, credential theft, or further compromise of the WordPress installation.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-25362

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected JavaScript code or HTML tags in FooGallery database entries
• Suspicious <script> tags or event handlers (e.g., onerror, onload, onclick) in gallery content
• User reports of unexpected browser behavior when viewing galleries
• Browser security warnings or Content Security Policy violations in logs
• Unusual admin account activity following gallery page visits

Detection Strategies

• Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to detect and block inline script execution
• Monitor WordPress database tables associated with FooGallery for suspicious HTML or JavaScript content
• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect XSS patterns in gallery input fields
• Conduct periodic security audits of stored gallery content for malicious payloads

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable WordPress activity logging to track gallery creation and modification events
• Configure browser-based XSS detection through security headers and CSP reporting
• Monitor server logs for unusual POST requests to FooGallery admin endpoints
• Implement real-time alerting for detected XSS patterns in user input

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-25362

Immediate Actions Required

• Update FooGallery plugin to the latest patched version immediately
• Audit existing gallery content for potential XSS payloads in titles, descriptions, and custom fields
• Review user accounts with contributor or higher privileges for unauthorized access
• Implement Content Security Policy headers to mitigate XSS impact

Patch Information

Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory for official patch details and updated plugin versions. Organizations should update to a version newer than 3.1.11 that addresses this vulnerability.

Workarounds

• Restrict FooGallery access to trusted administrators only until a patch is applied
• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to filter XSS payloads in gallery input
• Enable strict Content Security Policy headers to prevent inline script execution
• Review and sanitize existing gallery content manually for suspicious code

# WordPress CLI command to list FooGallery plugin status
wp plugin list --name=foogallery --fields=name,status,version

# Update FooGallery to latest version
wp plugin update foogallery