Smart Slider 3 <= 3.5.1.37 - Missing Authorization to Authenticated (Contributor+) Sensitive Information Exposure via WP_Query Parameter Injection via 'keyword' Parameter
The Smart Slider 3 plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 3.5.1.37 via the 'keyword' parameter. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-level access and above, to extract titles and full content excerpts of private, draft, pending, trashed, and auto-draft posts authored by any user, including Administrators and Editors. The required nonce is emitted on /wp-admin/post-new.php, which is accessible to Contributor-level users via the edit_posts capability, meaning any Contributor can obtain the nonce needed to trigger the injection.
Quick answer
Smart Slider 3 should be reviewed and updated if it matches the affected versions. The recommended fix is to apply the vendor-supported patched version or the mitigation steps below, then retest the public website with Fixnx.
Who is affected
Affected versions
- *-3.5.1.37
Fixed versions
- 3.5.1.38
How to fix it
Smart Slider 3 is affected by CVE-2026-12385, a authorization bypass issue in versions up to 3.5.1.37. Wordfence lists the official remediation as updating to version 3.5.1.38, or a newer patched version. Prioritize internet-facing WordPress sites, sites with public registration, customer portals, Elementor/page-builder surfaces, and admin workflows where the vulnerable feature is enabled. If immediate patching is not possible, disable the affected plugin or feature, restrict access, and monitor for exploitation until the update is installed.
- Inventory every WordPress site that has Smart Slider 3 installed, including production, staging, multisite, client, and WooCommerce environments.
- Confirm the installed Smart Slider 3 version and compare it with the affected range from the Wordfence advisory.
- Update Smart Slider 3 to version 3.5.1.38, or to a newer vendor-supported patched version from the official WordPress update channel.
- If the update cannot be applied immediately, disable Smart Slider 3 or the affected feature and restrict access with roles, authentication, WAF rules, or temporary route blocking.
- Review affected REST endpoints, AJAX actions, roles, capabilities, account changes, orders, bookings, payments, and admin actions for unauthorized activity.
- Rotate administrator sessions, API keys, webhook secrets, payment or integration tokens, and affected credentials if logs or content review suggest compromise.
- Clear WordPress, object, CDN, page-builder, security plugin, and browser caches after patching so vulnerable assets or stored payloads are not served.
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Verify the fix
- Confirm the running Smart Slider 3 version is version 3.5.1.38 or newer, and record the patched version in the remediation ticket.
- Verify unauthenticated or low-privilege users can no longer trigger the affected action, endpoint, account, payment, booking, or settings change.
- Review web server, WordPress, security plugin, WAF, database, and application logs for exploitation attempts before and after the fix.
- Retest normal visitor, subscriber, customer, editor, administrator, checkout, form, API, booking, or integration workflows to confirm expected behavior still works.
- Run a fresh Fixnx scan and document the public exposure state, patched version, log review, and any cleanup evidence.
Related categories
Trusted references
FAQ
What is affected by CVE-2026-12385?
Smart Slider 3 versions listed as affected should be reviewed: *-3.5.1.37.
What should I fix first?
Start with internet-facing sites, admin panels, login flows, plugins, themes, modules, packages, and systems that process user-controlled input or sensitive data.
How do I confirm the fix worked?
Apply the patched version or mitigation, clear caches where relevant, retest the affected workflow, and run a new Fixnx scan to verify public website exposure signals.
How are Fixnx security risk categories chosen?
Fixnx keeps one canonical risk page and assigns only broad, relevant categories such as ecosystem, technology area, or vulnerability class.