CVE-2023-0267 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE involves a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Ultimate Carousel For WPBakery Page Builder WordPress plugin version 2.6 and below. Attackers with the contributor role and above could exploit this vulnerability to execute XSS attacks.

Understanding CVE-2023-0267

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-0267, including the vulnerability description, impact, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

What is CVE-2023-0267?

The CVE-2023-0267 vulnerability specifically affects the Ultimate Carousel For WPBakery Page Builder WordPress plugin version 2.6 and earlier. It stems from a lack of validation and proper escaping of certain shortcode attributes, enabling contributors and higher access level users to carry out Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks within page or post content.

The Impact of CVE-2023-0267

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows malicious actors with specific user roles to inject and execute malicious scripts into the plugin-generated content, putting website visitors at risk of being exposed to harmful actions.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-0267

In this section, we will outline the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-0267 vulnerability, including its description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The Ultimate Carousel For WPBakery Page Builder WordPress plugin version 2.6 and earlier fails to properly validate and escape certain shortcode attributes. This oversight enables users with contributor access and above to insert and execute malicious scripts within the site's content, leading to potential XSS attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts the Ultimate Carousel For WPBakery Page Builder WordPress plugin versions 0 to 2.6, exposing websites that utilize these versions to the risk of stored XSS attacks by authorized users.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging this vulnerability, authenticated users with contributor privileges or higher can input crafted shortcode attributes containing malicious scripts. When these shortcodes are rendered in a page or post, the script gets executed in the context of the user viewing the content, potentially compromising sensitive information or performing malicious actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-0267 and safeguard against potential exploitation, website administrators should take immediate steps and implement long-term security practices to enhance the security posture of their WordPress installations.

Immediate Steps to Take

Administrators are advised to update the Ultimate Carousel For WPBakery Page Builder plugin to a patched version that addresses the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring for any unauthorized or suspicious activity within site content is crucial to detect and respond to potential attacks promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Incorporating secure coding practices, regularly auditing plugins for vulnerabilities, and educating users about the risks associated with XSS attacks can help prevent future security incidents. Implementing role-based access controls and limiting privileges based on user roles can also mitigate the impact of such vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Maintaining regular updates for WordPress plugins and themes is essential to stay protected against known vulnerabilities. Ensuring timely installation of security patches released by plugin developers can effectively mitigate the risk of exploitation and enhance overall website security.