CVE-2023-0983 : Security Advisory and Response

This article provides an overview of CVE-2023-0983, detailing its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2023-0983

CVE-2023-0983 is a vulnerability identified in the Stylish Cost Calculator Premium plugin, version less than 7.9.0, which allows for Unauthenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.

What is CVE-2023-0983?

The CVE-2023-0983 vulnerability is present in the stylish-cost-calculator-premium WordPress plugin before version 7.9.0. It stems from a failure to properly sanitize and escape a parameter before displaying it on a webpage. This oversight opens the door for Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks, particularly targeting administrators when viewing submissions made through the Email Quote Form.

The Impact of CVE-2023-0983

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary scripts within the context of a vulnerable website. This could result in unauthorized access to sensitive information, manipulation of content, or redirection to malicious sites, potentially compromising the security and integrity of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-0983

This section delves into the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism associated with CVE-2023-0983.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a lack of proper data sanitization in the Stylish Cost Calculator Premium plugin, enabling attackers to embed malicious scripts that execute when unsuspecting users, particularly administrators, interact with the compromised elements on the webpage.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Stylish Cost Calculator Premium plugin versions prior to 7.9.0 are affected by CVE-2023-0983. Websites using these vulnerable versions are at risk of exploitation through Unauthenticated Stored XSS attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-0983 involves crafting and submitting malicious input via the Email Quote Form of the plugin. When administrators access and view these submissions, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to unauthorized actions within the website's context.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2023-0983 and similar vulnerabilities, immediate steps, long-term security practices, and the importance of timely patching and updates are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or remove the vulnerable Stylish Cost Calculator Premium plugin if not essential for site functionality.
Regularly monitor website activity for any signs of unauthorized script execution.
Educate users, especially administrators, about the risks associated with interacting with untrusted content on the website.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices to sanitize and validate user input effectively.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential vulnerabilities proactively.
Stay informed about security best practices and emerging threats in the WordPress plugin ecosystem.

Patching and Updates

Update the Stylish Cost Calculator Premium plugin to version 7.9.0 or higher, which includes fixes for the identified XSS vulnerability.
Keep all plugins, themes, and core WordPress files up to date to mitigate known security risks and ensure a robust defense against evolving threats.