CVE-2023-0731 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE, assigned by Wordfence, was published on February 7, 2023, and affects the Interactive Geo Maps plugin for WordPress.

Understanding CVE-2023-0731

This vulnerability involves Stored Cross-Site Scripting in the Interactive Geo Maps plugin, allowing authenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts into WordPress pages.

What is CVE-2023-0731?

The Interactive Geo Maps plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the action content parameter in versions up to 1.5.9. This occurs due to inadequate input sanitization and output escaping, permitting attackers with editor-level permissions to insert harmful scripts on pages.

The Impact of CVE-2023-0731

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts on injected pages accessed by users, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-0731

The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting'). With a CVSSv3.1 base score of 6.4, it is considered of medium severity.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers with editor-level permissions to inject malicious scripts through the action content parameter, exploiting the insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in the plugin.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions up to and including 1.5.9 of the Interactive Geo Maps plugin for WordPress are susceptible to this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Authenticated attackers can leverage the lack of proper input sanitization and output escaping to insert harmful scripts into WordPress pages, which are executed when accessed by users.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-0731, immediate steps must be taken to secure WordPress websites using the compromised plugin and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Interactive Geo Maps plugin to a version beyond 1.5.9 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Regularly monitor and audit user permissions to limit the impact of potential attacks by authenticated adversaries.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict input validation and output encoding practices in WordPress plugins to prevent Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities.
Educate users and administrators on the risks of XSS attacks and the importance of keeping plugins up to date.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial to stay informed about security patches and updates released by plugin developers. Ensure timely installation of patches to address known vulnerabilities and enhance the overall security posture of WordPress sites.