CVE-2023-1917 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE record pertains to a vulnerability found in the PowerPress Podcasting plugin by Blubrry, impacting versions up to and including 10.0. The vulnerability allows for Stored Cross-Site Scripting, enabling authenticated attackers with contributor-level and above permissions to inject arbitrary web scripts into pages.

Understanding CVE-2023-1917

The PowerPress plugin for WordPress is susceptible to Stored Cross-Site Scripting due to inadequate input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes. This exposure can be exploited by authenticated attackers to execute malicious scripts on injected pages.

What is CVE-2023-1917?

CVE-2023-1917 is a vulnerability in the PowerPress Podcasting plugin for WordPress that allows authenticated attackers to inject malicious web scripts due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping.

The Impact of CVE-2023-1917

The vulnerability in PowerPress Podcasting plugin by Blubrry can be exploited by attackers with contributor-level and above permissions to inject arbitrary web scripts, posing a risk of executing malicious code when users access affected pages.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-1917

The following technical information is associated with CVE-2023-1917:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability enables Stored Cross-Site Scripting in the PowerPress Podcasting plugin by Blubrry, allowing attackers to inject malicious web scripts into pages. A partial fix was introduced in version 10.0.1, with an additional patch in version 10.0.2 to address a workaround.

Affected Systems and Versions

The PowerPress Podcasting plugin versions up to and including 10.0 are impacted by this vulnerability, with authorized users at contributor-level and above permissions being able to exploit it.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability arises from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in user-supplied attributes of the PowerPress plugin, facilitating the injection of arbitrary web scripts by authenticated attackers.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-1917, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the PowerPress Podcasting plugin to version 10.0.2 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict contributor-level and above permissions to prevent potential exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement rigorous input validation and output escaping practices in plugin development to prevent Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities.
Conduct regular security audits and testing to identify and address potential security weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates provided by plugin developers to mitigate known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-1917. Regularly check for new releases and apply patches promptly to enhance the security posture of WordPress plugins.