CVE-2026-22347 identifies a DOM-based Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the subhansanjaya Carousel Horizontal Posts Content Slider plugin, specifically versions up to and including 3.3.2. This vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during the generation of web pages, allowing malicious scripts to be injected into the Document Object Model (DOM) on the client side. Unlike reflected or stored XSS, DOM-based XSS occurs entirely in the browser, exploiting client-side scripts that process untrusted input insecurely. The vulnerability allows an attacker with low attack complexity but requiring some privileges (PR:L) and user interaction (UI:R) to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the affected website. The CVSS vector indicates network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), partial confidentiality (C:L), integrity (I:L), and availability (A:L) impacts, and scope change (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk to websites using this plugin, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites. The plugin is commonly used in WordPress environments to display horizontal post carousels, making it a target for attackers seeking to exploit popular web components. The vulnerability was published on January 22, 2026, and no official patches or updates are currently linked, emphasizing the need for proactive mitigation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized script execution within users' browsers, compromising user sessions, stealing sensitive information such as cookies or credentials, and potentially defacing websites or redirecting users to malicious domains. Organizations relying on the Carousel Horizontal Posts Content Slider plugin for content presentation on their websites face risks to their brand reputation and user trust. The partial compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability could affect customer data privacy and disrupt web services. Given the medium severity and the requirement for some privileges and user interaction, targeted attacks against high-value websites or those with privileged users are plausible. The impact is particularly relevant for sectors with high web presence such as e-commerce, media, and public services. Additionally, the scope change in the CVSS vector suggests that the vulnerability could affect components beyond the plugin itself, potentially impacting other integrated systems or services.

European organizations should immediately inventory their web assets to identify instances of the subhansanjaya Carousel Horizontal Posts Content Slider plugin, especially versions up to 3.3.2. Until an official patch is released, organizations should consider disabling or removing the plugin to eliminate exposure. Implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data processed by the plugin or related web components to prevent injection of malicious scripts. Deploy Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the impact of potential XSS attacks. Regularly monitor web application logs and user reports for suspicious activity indicative of exploitation attempts. Educate web developers and administrators about secure coding practices related to DOM manipulation and input handling. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from any successful exploitation.