CVE-2023-2298 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-2298 was assigned by Wordfence and was published on June 3, 2023. It is related to the vulnerability found in the "Online Booking & Scheduling Calendar for WordPress" plugin by vcita. The plugin versions up to and including 4.2.10 are affected by a Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability, allowing unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts.

Understanding CVE-2023-2298

This section will provide an overview of CVE-2023-2298, including its impact, technical details, and mitigation methods.

What is CVE-2023-2298?

CVE-2023-2298 is a vulnerability found in the vcita plugin for WordPress, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary scripts through insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in the 'business_id' parameter.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2298

The impact of this vulnerability is classified as HIGH, with a base score of 7.2. If exploited, unauthenticated attackers can inject malicious scripts into pages, which will execute when a user accesses the compromised pages.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2298

Let's delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-2298, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in the 'business_id' parameter of the vcita plugin, allowing attackers to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The plugin versions up to and including 4.2.10 of the "Online Booking & Scheduling Calendar for WordPress by vcita" are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting this vulnerability, unauthenticated attackers can inject and execute arbitrary web scripts on pages, leading to potential security breaches and unauthorized actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial for users to take immediate steps to address CVE-2023-2298 to ensure the security of their WordPress websites. Here are some key points for mitigation and prevention:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the vcita plugin to the latest version (beyond 4.2.10) to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor and review website activity for any suspicious behavior or unauthorized changes.
Consider implementing additional security measures such as web application firewalls.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and review third-party plugins for security vulnerabilities.
Educate website administrators and users about safe browsing practices.
Stay informed about security updates and best practices for WordPress website security.

Patching and Updates

Keep track of security advisories from plugin developers and security researchers. Promptly apply patches and updates to eliminate known vulnerabilities and enhance the overall security posture of WordPress websites.