What the vulnerability does
01Description
The Switch CTA Box plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the 'wppw_cta_box' shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 1.1. This is due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied post meta values including 'cta_box_button_link', 'cta_box_button_id', 'cta_box_button_text', and 'cta_box_description'. The shortcode reads post meta from a user-specified post ID and echoes these values directly into HTML output without any escaping functions (no esc_attr(), esc_url(), or esc_html()). 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.
Explanation of Vulnerability in Simple Terms
02Summary
Switch CTA Box versions 1.1 and earlier contain a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability. An authenticated user with low privileges can inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of other site visitors, potentially compromising their sessions or stealing sensitive data. The vulnerability affects the entire site scope due to how the affected component processes user input.
What an attacker can do
03Attacker Capabilities
Inject malicious scripts that run in other users' browsers and steal their session data or perform actions on their behalf.
Potential impact on your site
04Site Impact
Visitors and administrators may have their sessions hijacked or be redirected to malicious sites; site reputation and user trust at risk.
Conditions required to exploit
05Prerequisites
Attacker must have a low-privilege authenticated account on the site; no user interaction required from victims.
Key dates
06Disclosure timeline
April 22, 2026
CVE published
April 23, 2026
Record updated
