CVE-2023-0177 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE record pertains to a vulnerability in the Social Like Box and Page by WpDevArt WordPress plugin that allows for Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks by users with the contributor role and above.

Understanding CVE-2023-0177

The vulnerability in the Social Like Box and Page by WpDevArt plugin poses a security risk due to the lack of validation and escaping of some shortcode attributes, enabling malicious users to execute Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

What is CVE-2023-0177?

CVE-2023-0177 concerns a specific flaw in the Social Like Box and Page by WpDevArt WordPress plugin version prior to 0.8.41. The issue allows users with contributor-level access and higher to carry out Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks by manipulating shortcode attributes.

The Impact of CVE-2023-0177

The vulnerability in the affected plugin potentially exposes websites to malicious scripts injected via the plugin's shortcode attributes. This can result in unauthorized access, data theft, defacement, and other forms of cyberattacks by exploiting the Stored Cross-Site Scripting weakness.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-0177

The technical aspects of CVE-2023-0177 include the following key points:

Vulnerability Description

The Social Like Box and Page by WpDevArt plugin, before version 0.8.41, fails to properly validate and escape certain shortcode attributes. This oversight allows users with contributor-level permissions and above to insert malicious scripts through the plugin's shortcode, paving the way for Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts the "Social Like Box and Page by WpDevArt" WordPress plugin in versions earlier than 0.8.41. Users utilizing versions below this threshold are susceptible to the Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the lack of input validation and sanitation in the plugin's shortcode attributes, attackers with contributor-level access or higher can craft malicious payloads, inject them into posts or pages using the affected plugin, and execute Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks on unsuspecting visitors.

Mitigation and Prevention

Addressing CVE-2023-0177 requires proactive security measures to mitigate the risk posed by the vulnerability. Consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Social Like Box and Page by WpDevArt plugin to version 0.8.41 or newer to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual or suspicious activity on your website that may indicate an exploit attempt.
Educate users with contributor roles and above about secure coding practices and the risks associated with XSS vulnerabilities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update all plugins, themes, and WordPress core to ensure the latest security patches are applied.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address any potential vulnerabilities in your WordPress site.
Implement web application firewalls and security plugins to enhance overall website security.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates related to WordPress plugins and promptly apply patches released by plugin developers to safeguard your website against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-0177.