CVE-2023-2302 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE record was published on June 3, 2023, by Wordfence. It involves a vulnerability found in the Contact Form and Calls To Action by vcita plugin for WordPress, allowing for Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks up to version 2.6.4.

Understanding CVE-2023-2302

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-2302, shedding light on the nature and impact of this vulnerability.

What is CVE-2023-2302?

The Contact Form and Calls To Action by vcita plugin for WordPress is susceptible to Stored Cross-Site Scripting through the 'email' parameter in versions up to and including 2.6.4. Attackers with the edit_posts capability, such as contributors and above, can inject malicious web scripts that execute when a user accesses compromised pages.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2302

This vulnerability poses a medium-severity risk with a CVSS base score of 6.4 out of 10. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access, data manipulation, or other harmful activities on affected websites.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2302

Let's delve deeper into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-2302 to better understand the vulnerability, affected systems, and exploitation mechanisms.

Vulnerability Description

The issue stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping in the plugin, enabling authenticated attackers to insert and execute malicious scripts within pages accessible to users.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects versions of the Contact Form and Calls To Action by vcita plugin up to and including 2.6.4. Users with vulnerable versions are at risk of exploitation if proper mitigation measures are not implemented.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the 'email' parameter, authenticated attackers with edit_posts capability can inject harmful scripts, which may execute when unsuspecting users interact with compromised pages.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting your systems from CVE-2023-2302 requires immediate action and long-term security practices to mitigate risks effectively.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Contact Form and Calls To Action by vcita plugin to a secure version that addresses the vulnerability.
Monitor user-generated content for suspicious scripts and regularly audit website code for vulnerabilities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Employ robust input validation and output filtering techniques in web development.
Educate users on safe practices to prevent falling victim to cross-site scripting attacks.
Regularly audit and update third-party plugins to ensure they meet security best practices.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates released by the plugin developer and apply patches promptly. Regularly check for CVE advisories and take necessary actions to secure your WordPress websites.