CVE-2023-23972 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE-2023-23972 involves a vulnerability in the "WordPress Social Like Box and Page by WpDevArt" plugin with versions equal to or below 0.8.39. The vulnerability is categorized as an Authenticated (admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue.

Understanding CVE-2023-23972

This section provides an overview of the CVE-2023-23972 vulnerability, its impact, technical details, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-23972?

The CVE-2023-23972 vulnerability is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) flaw found in the "Social Like Box and Page by WpDevArt" plugin for WordPress with versions 0.8.39 and below. This vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker with admin+ privileges to inject malicious scripts into the plugin, potentially leading to unauthorized actions on the affected site.

The Impact of CVE-2023-23972

The impact of CVE-2023-23972 is categorized under CAPEC-592 (Stored XSS). This vulnerability could result in an attacker executing arbitrary scripts within the context of the user's session, leading to sensitive information exposure, account takeover, or further compromise of the WordPress site.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-23972

This section provides a detailed insight into the vulnerability and its technical aspects.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the "Social Like Box and Page by WpDevArt" plugin allows an authenticated attacker to store and execute malicious scripts within the plugin, potentially impacting the website and its users.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts versions of the "Social Like Box and Page by WpDevArt" plugin that are equal to or below 0.8.39.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must have admin+ privileges on the affected WordPress site. By leveraging this access, they can inject and store malicious scripts, leading to a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines steps to mitigate the CVE-2023-23972 vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update the "Social Like Box and Page by WpDevArt" plugin to version 0.8.40 or higher to mitigate the vulnerability. Additionally, website administrators should monitor for any suspicious activities that could indicate exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, conducting regular security audits, and educating users on safe practices can help prevent such vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly installing security patches and updates provided by plugin developers is crucial to maintaining a secure WordPress environment and mitigating the risk of known vulnerabilities.