CVE-2026-3853
CVE-2026-3853 — Divi <= 4.27.6 - Authenticated (Contributor+) DOM-Based Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Video Slider 'image_src' Shortcode Parameter
The Divi theme for WordPress is vulnerable to DOM-Based Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the `image_src` attribute of the `et_pb_video_slider_item` shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 4.27.6. This is due to the `image_src` field not being included in the `$url_options` whitelist (which only contains `url`, `button_link`, `button_url`), so it never receives `esc_url_raw()` at save time. On the server side, the value is rendered into a `data-image` HTML attribute using `esc_attr()`, which encodes double quotes as `"`. However, the client-side JavaScript carousel code in `custom.unified.js` reads this attribute using jQuery's `.data('image')`, which returns the browser-decoded value (with `"` decoded back to `"`). The decoded value is then concatenated directly into an HTML string and injected into the DOM via `jQuery.after()` without re-escaping. 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 hovers over the carousel thumbnail.
Published Updated Sources: NVD, Elegant Themes (CNA), GitHub, SOCRadar CTI
Triage
Is it exploited, how likely is exploitation, what does it touch, and how severe do the scoring sources call it.
Exploitation
Reported
not confirmed by CISA
EPSS
0%
ahead of 0% of scored CVEs
CVSS base
6.4
medium
Remediation
The vendor's own words where we have them.
Upgrade Divi to a fixed release. Apply vendor patches per advisory and restrict external exposure of the affected component until patched.
First 24 hours
Ordered from the record's own fields — exposure first, because you cannot patch what you have not found.
- Identify exposed assets running affected vendor/product/version combinations.
- Prioritize based on EPSS, PoC availability, and external exposure.
- Search available logs for exploit probes, errors, authentication anomalies, or suspicious child processes matching the vulnerability class.
Affected scope
Vendor, product and version as the advisories word them.
| Vendor | Product | Versions | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elegant Themes | Divi | 0 to <= 4.27.6 | Vulnerable |
Attack characteristics
The CVSS vector, decoded. It describes the attack, not your exposure to it.
Availability
None
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
Low
Scope
Changed
Attack Complexity
Low
Attack Vector
Network
Privileges Req
Low
User Interaction
None
Every base score collected
Sources score independently and disagree; each row says who scored it and under which version.
| Score | Version | Severity | Expl. | Impact | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.4 | CVSS 3.1 | medium | 3.1 | 2.7 | NVD, Elegant Themes (CNA) |
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
What this weakness leads to
MITRE's own consequences and mitigations for the weakness class — the authority's wording, not guidance derived from the CVSS vector.
CWE-79 · Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
- Bypass Protection Mechanism
- Read Application Data
- Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
Mitigation: Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. Examples of libraries and frameworks that make it easier to generate properly encoded output include Microsoft's Anti-XSS library, the OWASP ESAPI Encoding module, and Apache Wicket.
Weakness & attack patterns
- CWE-79Cross-site Scripting
Attack patterns reported against this CVE. The ATT&CK techniques below are inferred from its weakness class.
Public exploit
Capability, not use: code existing is a different claim from anyone running it.
Repositories
9
1 of the 5 sampled are weaponized
Detection
Read off the CVSS vector and the weakness class. Starting points, not rules we have tested.
- Prioritize edge telemetry for network-reachable Divi.
- Monitor for scanner or exploit-pattern traffic after 9 public PoC repositories were reported.
Timeline
What happened to this CVE, newest first — with the readings a source repeats on a schedule counted underneath rather than listed.
- 2026
Added · CVSS 3.1 6.4 (AV:N)
Sep 5, 2026 · NVD
Initial · CVE published
Sep 5, 2026 · NVD
CVE published by MITRE.
Sep 5, 2026 · SOCRadar CTI
Reported · Disclosed
Sep 4, 2026 · Elegant Themes
Reported · Vendor Notified
Mar 10, 2026 · Elegant Themes
References
2 on the record
Elsewhere on this site
- Elegant Themesevery CVE for this vendor
- Cross-site Scriptingsame class
- CWE-79other pages naming this weakness
Not in any source we poll
Listed rather than left blank: an empty field and an unmeasured one look identical on screen, and only one is a reason to look elsewhere.
- No confirmed IOCs, IP addresses, domains, file hashes, or malware artifacts supplied.
- No organization-specific asset inventory, compensating-control status, or patch deployment evidence supplied.
- No exploit packet captures, log samples, or incident case IDs supplied.
Answered from this record1
What should defenders know first?
CVE-2026-3853 is Divi <= 4.27.6 - Authenticated (Contributor+) DOM-Based Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Video Slider 'image_src' Shortcode Parameter, a medium vulnerability affecting Divi from Elegant Themes. The current evidence does not list it in CISA KEV, and the exploit status is: Exploitation is reported, but no independent confirmation is available in the sources we have. Public exploit evidence is: 9 public PoC repositories reported; 1 marked weaponized in current dataset. The affected-version evidence is listed in the key facts and affected products tables. Defenders should first verify whether exposed or business-critical assets run those versions, then apply vendor patches or mitigations, restrict reachable attack surface, and preserve logs for detection review. CVSS 6.4 describes technical severity, while EPSS 0% helps estimate near-term exploit likelihood; neither replaces asset context. Unknown fields should remain explicit in tickets, and threat actor, IOC, victimology, or payload claims should not be added unless a cited source supports them. Monitor CISA KEV, vendor advisories, NVD changes, public PoC repositories, and internal telemetry for update triggers.