CVE-2023-0143 : Security Advisory and Response

This article provides insights into CVE-2023-0143, a vulnerability related to the Send PDF for Contact Form 7 WordPress plugin.

Understanding CVE-2023-0143

CVE-2023-0143 is a security vulnerability found in the Send PDF for Contact Form 7 plugin before version 0.9.9.2. It allows users with low roles, such as contributors, to execute Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks, potentially impacting high privilege users like administrators.

What is CVE-2023-0143?

The CVE-2023-0143 vulnerability in the Send PDF for Contact Form 7 WordPress plugin arises from the lack of validation and proper escaping of certain shortcode attributes before displaying them on the page. This oversight can be exploited by attackers to inject malicious scripts into the website, potentially leading to unauthorized access or other security risks.

The Impact of CVE-2023-0143

The impact of CVE-2023-0143 includes the potential for Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks, where malicious code injected through the plugin's shortcode attributes can be executed within the context of the affected website. This can result in unauthorized actions, data theft, or further compromise of the website.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-0143

The following technical details shed light on the vulnerability:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows users with lower roles, such as contributors, to exploit the lack of proper validation and escaping of shortcode attributes to execute Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks on the website.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: Unknown
Product: Send PDF for Contact Form 7
Affected Version: Before 0.9.9.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can use the vulnerability in the Send PDF for Contact Form 7 plugin to inject malicious scripts via shortcode attributes, targeting higher privilege users and potentially compromising the website's security.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-0143 and enhance security measures, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Send PDF for Contact Form 7 plugin to version 0.9.9.2 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Regularly review and monitor user roles to restrict access based on privileges, thereby reducing the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement security best practices, such as input validation and output sanitization, to prevent Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities.
Conduct regular security audits and testing to identify and address potential vulnerabilities in plugins and extensions.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by the plugin developer. Promptly apply updates to ensure that known vulnerabilities, such as CVE-2023-0143, are remediated to protect your website from potential exploitation.