CVE-2023-23891 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-23891 was assigned by Patchstack and was published on April 6, 2023. It pertains to a vulnerability in the Ocean Extra plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions equal to and below 2.1.1.

Understanding CVE-2023-23891

This vulnerability involves an Authenticated (contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue within the OceanWP Ocean Extra plugin, requiring the OceanWP theme to be both installed and activated.

What is CVE-2023-23891?

The CVE-2023-23891 vulnerability is classified as CAPEC-592 Stored XSS, posing a risk due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, leading to potential XSS attacks in affected versions.

The Impact of CVE-2023-23891

The impact of this vulnerability is considered to have a medium severity level, with a CVSS base score of 5.5. It requires a low level of privileges and user interaction, but the attack complexity is high, affecting the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-23891

This section delves into the specific technical details regarding the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input, enabling Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks in versions of the Ocean Extra plugin up to version 2.1.1.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Ocean Extra plugin for WordPress is impacted, particularly versions 2.1.1 and below, with the OceanWP theme needing to be installed and activated for the vulnerability to be exploitable.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows for stored XSS attacks when a malicious contributor+ user injects and stores a script within the affected plugin, potentially compromising user data and site security.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-23891 and enhance system security, follow the recommended mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Ocean Extra plugin to version 2.1.2 or higher to mitigate the vulnerability.
Ensure the OceanWP theme is updated and properly configured to prevent exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update all installed plugins and themes to maintain a secure WordPress environment.
Educate users on security best practices to prevent XSS and other types of vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Installing security updates and patches promptly is crucial in safeguarding WordPress sites from known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-23891. Keep abreast of security advisories and apply updates as soon as they are available.