CVE-2023-0280 : What You Need to Know

This article provides details about CVE-2023-0280, a vulnerability in the Ultimate Carousel For Elementor WordPress plugin.

Understanding CVE-2023-0280

CVE-2023-0280 refers to a specific vulnerability identified in the Ultimate Carousel For Elementor plugin, impacting versions up to 2.1.7. This vulnerability involves a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue that could be exploited by users with the contributor role or higher.

What is CVE-2023-0280?

The CVE-2023-0280 vulnerability in the Ultimate Carousel For Elementor plugin allows malicious contributors or higher-level users to execute Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks due to the lack of validation and escaping of certain block options within the plugin.

The Impact of CVE-2023-0280

The impact of CVE-2023-0280 is significant as it enables attackers to inject and execute malicious scripts on web pages where the plugin is utilized. This can lead to various security risks, including unauthorized access, data theft, and website defacement.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-0280

The technical aspects of CVE-2023-0280 provide insight into the vulnerability, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism involved.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the plugin's failure to properly validate and escape certain block options, allowing contributors and higher users to insert malicious scripts that get executed when the affected page or post is accessed by visitors.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Ultimate Carousel For Elementor plugin versions up to 2.1.7 are impacted by CVE-2023-0280 due to the lack of proper input validation, making them susceptible to Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-0280, attackers with contributor-level access or higher can leverage the vulnerability by crafting malicious script payloads and injecting them into the affected block options. When the compromised page or post is viewed, these scripts execute in the context of the user's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

Addressing CVE-2023-0280 requires immediate action to secure affected systems and prevent potential exploitation through the vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators should consider disabling or updating the Ultimate Carousel For Elementor plugin to a version beyond 2.1.7 to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Additionally, restricting contributor-level access and regularly monitoring for suspicious activities can help prevent unauthorized script injections.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, conducting regular security assessments, and staying informed about plugin updates and vulnerabilities can enhance long-term security posture and reduce the likelihood of similar issues occurring in the future.

Patching and Updates

Users of the Ultimate Carousel For Elementor plugin should prioritize installing security patches and updates released by the plugin developers promptly to address CVE-2023-0280 and other identified vulnerabilities, ensuring the overall security of their WordPress websites.