Meow Gallery linked-image alt text permits Author-level stored XSS before 5.5.2
Meow Gallery before 5.5.2 lets an Author store JavaScript in _wp_attachment_image_alt metadata. Meow_MGL_Core::gallery() reads the value for a linked gallery and inserts it without attribute escaping into the link's aria-label, allowing breakout and script execution for visitors including administrators. The media-editing endpoint, required encoding and post-exploitation actions are not disclosed. Version 5.5.2 applies esc_attr().
- Component
- Meow Gallery
- Plugin slug
meow-gallery- Affected
- < 5.5.2
- Safe version
5.5.2- Published
- Aug 07, 2026
This CVE was published Aug 07, 2026 and is one of 6 known issues for this plugin.
Update, patch or deactivate.
Update Meow Gallery to 5.5.2 or later. Review Author-editable attachment alt text and invalidate privileged sessions if an administrator viewed a confirmed payload.
A safe version is available, so updating to that version or later is the preferred remediation. If an immediate update is not practical, consider a targeted application patch or temporarily restricting the affected functionality.
Deactivate only when warranted by your risk profile, or when advised by your hosting provider in the limited circumstances where the vulnerability cannot otherwise be mitigated. If you’re unsure which action is appropriate, contact Fused or your hosting provider for guidance.
Technical description
The Meow Gallery WordPress plugin before 5.5.2 does not escape an attachment's alt text before outputting it into an attribute of the link it builds for linked galleries, allowing users with the Author role or above to store a JavaScript payload that executes in the browser of any visitor (including administrators) who views a post containing such a gallery.
CVE / CNA vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N