CVE-2023-0542 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE, assigned by WPScan, pertains to a vulnerability in the Custom Post Type List Shortcode WordPress plugin version 1.4.4 and below. The vulnerability could enable users with the contributor role and higher to conduct Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Understanding CVE-2023-0542

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-0542, outlining its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-0542?

CVE-2023-0542 involves the Custom Post Type List Shortcode WordPress plugin versions 1.4.4 and earlier. The plugin fails to properly validate and escape certain shortcode attributes, opening the door for Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks by authorized users.

The Impact of CVE-2023-0542

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as contributors and higher-level users can exploit it to execute malicious scripts within the context of a user's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-0542

This section provides a deeper dive into the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Custom Post Type List Shortcode plugin allows contributors and above to inject malicious scripts via certain shortcode attributes, creating a security risk for WordPress sites utilizing the affected versions.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Custom Post Type List Shortcode plugin versions up to and including 1.4.4 are impacted by this vulnerability. Users of these versions are at risk of exploitation by individuals with contributor-level access or higher.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-0542, a user with the contributor role or higher needs to craft a malicious payload and insert it into specific shortcode attributes supported by the plugin. Upon rendering the shortcode on a page or post, the injected script gets executed in the context of the user's browser.

Mitigation and Prevention

In response to CVE-2023-0542, it is crucial to take immediate remediation steps, implement long-term security practices, and apply relevant patches and updates to safeguard WordPress installations.

Immediate Steps to Take

For immediate protection, users should consider disabling the affected plugin, restricting contributor role permissions, and conducting a security audit to detect any potential exploits resulting from the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance overall security posture, WordPress administrators should ensure regular security assessments, user role reviews, input validation procedures, and user awareness training to mitigate risks associated with vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-0542.

Patching and Updates

The developers of the Custom Post Type List Shortcode plugin have likely released patches or updates addressing the vulnerability. It is imperative to apply these security fixes promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation and secure the WordPress environment against similar threats.