CVE-2023-23789 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE-2023-23789 was published by Patchstack on May 10, 2023, and involves a vulnerability in the Premmerce Redirect Manager plugin for WordPress.

Understanding CVE-2023-23789

This CVE identifies a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Premmerce Redirect Manager WordPress plugin version 1.0.9 and below. This vulnerability requires authentication (admin+) for exploitation.

What is CVE-2023-23789?

The CVE-2023-23789 vulnerability in Premmerce Redirect Manager allows an authenticated attacker with admin privileges to execute malicious scripts within the context of the victim's browser, leading to potential data theft or unauthorized actions.

The Impact of CVE-2023-23789

The impact of this vulnerability is deemed as "CAPEC-592 Stored XSS." It has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.9, classifying it as a medium severity issue. The attack complexity is low, but high privileges are required for successful exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-23789

The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (Cross-site Scripting). It is a Stored XSS vulnerability that affects Premmerce Redirect Manager versions up to 1.0.9.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker to store and execute malicious scripts within the application's context, potentially compromising user data or performing unauthorized actions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Premmerce Redirect Manager plugin versions less than or equal to 1.0.9 are susceptible to this vulnerability. Users running these versions are at risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker needs admin-level authentication to store and execute malicious scripts via the plugin, potentially causing harm to the affected system.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial for users of Premmerce Redirect Manager to take immediate action to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-23789.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Premmerce Redirect Manager plugin to a version beyond 1.0.9 to eliminate the vulnerability.
Monitor user input and sanitize data to prevent the injection of malicious scripts.
Regularly review and audit plugins for security vulnerabilities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Educate users on safe practices to avoid falling victim to XSS attacks.
Implement a web application firewall (WAF) to detect and prevent XSS attempts.
Conduct periodic security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address any security gaps proactively.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates released by plugin developers. Regularly check for new versions of plugins and promptly apply updates to ensure your website remains secure against known vulnerabilities.