CVE-2023-0270 : What You Need to Know

YaMaps for WordPress Plugin < 0.6.26 - Contributor+ Stored XSS vulnerability has been identified and published by WPScan on February 13, 2023.

Understanding CVE-2023-0270

This vulnerability in the YaMaps for WordPress Plugin allows users with the contributor role and above to execute Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks due to inadequate validation and escaping of shortcode attributes.

What is CVE-2023-0270?

The YaMaps for WordPress Plugin WordPress plugin version prior to 0.6.26 fails to properly validate and escape certain shortcode attributes before displaying them on a page or post, creating a security gap that enables contributors and higher roles to carry out Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2023-0270

The vulnerability poses a risk to WordPress websites using the YaMaps for WordPress Plugin version below 0.6.26, as it could be exploited by privileged users such as contributors to inject malicious scripts into pages or posts, potentially leading to various security risks and compromise of sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-0270

This section outlines the specific details regarding the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability originates from the inadequate validation and escaping of some shortcode attributes within the YaMaps for WordPress Plugin before version 0.6.26, enabling users with contributor-level access and higher to execute Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected system is the YaMaps for WordPress Plugin with versions less than 0.6.26. Websites utilizing this plugin and version are susceptible to the Stored XSS vulnerability, particularly users with contributor permissions and above.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the unvalidated shortcode attributes, malicious users with contributor roles or higher can insert harmful scripts into pages or posts on WordPress sites using the vulnerable version of the YaMaps for WordPress Plugin, leading to potential XSS attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard WordPress websites from CVE-2023-0270, proactive steps need to be taken to mitigate the risk and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators should promptly update the YaMaps for WordPress Plugin to version 0.6.26 or newer to patch the vulnerability and prevent unauthorized script injections. It is also recommended to restrict contributor-level access to minimize the impact of potential XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strict validation and escaping protocols for user inputs and shortcode attributes in WordPress plugins can enhance overall security posture and reduce the likelihood of similar vulnerabilities in the future. Regular security audits and monitoring can also help identify and address any emerging threats promptly.

Patching and Updates

Staying up-to-date with plugin updates and security patches is crucial for maintaining a secure WordPress environment. Continuous monitoring of security advisories and promptly applying patches can help mitigate the risk of CVE-2023-0270 and other potential vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins.