CVE-2023-23826 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-23826 was published on August 10, 2023, by Patchstack. It pertains to a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the WordPress Add Posts to Pages Plugin version 1.4.1 and below.

Understanding CVE-2023-23826

This CVE identifies a specific security issue in the Add Posts to Pages Plugin for WordPress that can be exploited through Cross Site Scripting (XSS).

What is CVE-2023-23826?

The CVE-2023-23826 refers to a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Arsham Mirshah Add Posts to Pages plugin, specifically affecting versions 1.4.1 and below. This type of vulnerability allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.

The Impact of CVE-2023-23826

The impact of this vulnerability, as classified under CAPEC-592 Stored XSS, could lead to unauthorized access, data theft, and potential manipulation of website content. It poses a medium severity risk according to the CVSS v3.1 scoring system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-23826

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves an Authenticated (contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue within the affected versions of the Add Posts to Pages Plugin.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Arsham Mirshah Add Posts to Pages plugin versions 1.4.1 and below are vulnerable to this CVE.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited through injecting malicious scripts into the plugin, potentially leading to XSS attacks on users of the affected WordPress sites.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update the Add Posts to Pages Plugin to a secure, patched version.
Implement strict input validation and output encoding to mitigate XSS risks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update plugins and software to address security vulnerabilities promptly.
Educate users and administrators on safe coding practices and the risks associated with XSS vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Updating the vulnerable plugin to a version beyond 1.4.1 is essential to prevent exploitation of this XSS vulnerability. Regularly reviewing security advisories and applying patches promptly is crucial to maintaining a secure WordPress environment.