CVE-2023-0823 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-0823 relates to a vulnerability found in the Cookie Notice & Compliance for GDPR / CCPA WordPress plugin prior to version 2.4.7. The vulnerability could allow users with the contributor role and above to execute Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Understanding CVE-2023-0823

This section will cover the key details surrounding CVE-2023-0823, including the vulnerability description, impact, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-0823?

CVE-2023-0823 refers to a security flaw in the Cookie Notice & Compliance for GDPR / CCPA WordPress plugin versions earlier than 2.4.7. This vulnerability enables users with contributor-level access and higher to conduct Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks by exploiting shortcode attributes that lack validation and escaping.

The Impact of CVE-2023-0823

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows potential attackers with specific user roles to inject malicious scripts into pages or posts on websites utilizing the vulnerable plugin. This could lead to unauthorized actions, data theft, or other malicious activities on the affected site.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-0823

In this section, we will delve into the technical specifics of CVE-2023-0823, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Cookie Notice & Compliance for GDPR / CCPA plugin before version 2.4.7 arises from the lack of proper validation and escaping of certain shortcode attributes. This oversight allows privileged users to insert harmful scripts through the plugin, leading to potential XSS attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected system is the Cookie Notice & Compliance for GDPR / CCPA WordPress plugin with versions lower than 2.4.7. Websites using these vulnerable plugin versions are at risk of exploitation by users with contributor-level permissions and higher.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the insufficient validation and escaping of shortcode attributes in the vulnerable plugin, malicious users with the contributor role and above can insert and execute harmful scripts within pages or posts, enabling Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the steps that website administrators and users can take to mitigate the impact of CVE-2023-0823 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Cookie Notice & Compliance for GDPR / CCPA plugin to version 2.4.7 or newer to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor website activity for any signs of suspicious behavior or unauthorized script execution.
Restrict user roles and permissions to minimize the risk of privilege escalation by attackers.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and update plugins, themes, and WordPress core to address security vulnerabilities promptly.
Educate users on best practices for content creation to prevent inadvertently introducing security risks.
Employ security plugins and tools that can help detect and mitigate XSS and other common attack vectors.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the Cookie Notice & Compliance for GDPR / CCPA plugin is kept up-to-date with the latest security patches and releases. Promptly apply any updates provided by the plugin developer to safeguard your website against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-0823.