CVE-2023-24372 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE-2023-24372 was published by Patchstack on May 9, 2023. It involves a vulnerability in the Simple Custom Author Profiles plugin with versions equal to or less than 1.0.0. The vulnerability allows for Authenticated (admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.

Understanding CVE-2023-24372

This section delves deeper into the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-24372.

What is CVE-2023-24372?

CVE-2023-24372 is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in the Simple Custom Author Profiles plugin for WordPress. The vulnerability affects versions 1.0.0 and below, allowing authenticated users with admin privileges to execute malicious scripts.

The Impact of CVE-2023-24372

The impact of this vulnerability is categorized as a Medium severity issue with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.9. It requires high privileges to exploit and user interaction is required. The vulnerability can result in a compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-24372

Analyzing the vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and how the exploitation can occur.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows authenticated users with admin privileges to store malicious scripts within the Simple Custom Author Profiles plugin, potentially leading to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The CVE-2023-24372 impacts the Simple Custom Author Profiles plugin with versions equal to or less than 1.0.0.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with admin-level access can exploit the vulnerability by inserting malicious scripts through the affected plugin, thereby executing unauthorized code on the target system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Guidelines on addressing and preventing the CVE-2023-24372 vulnerability to enhance system security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Simple Custom Author Profiles plugin to a version above 1.0.0 to patch the vulnerability.
Consider limiting admin privileges to reduce the risk of exploitation.
Monitor site activity for any suspicious behavior following the patch.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and maintain all plugins, themes, and WordPress core to mitigate future vulnerabilities.
Educate users with admin access on secure coding practices and the risks associated with XSS vulnerabilities.
Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to detect and block malicious traffic targeting XSS vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates provided by the plugin vendor to address known vulnerabilities and enhance the overall security posture of the WordPress site.