CVE-2023-24391 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE details a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Spider Teams ApplyOnline plugin version 2.5 or lower used in the WordPress ApplyOnline application form builder and manager plugin.

Understanding CVE-2023-24391

This vulnerability poses a risk of Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) to authenticated users (admin+) of the Spider Teams ApplyOnline plugin versions equal to or below 2.5.

What is CVE-2023-24391?

The vulnerability in the Spider Teams ApplyOnline plugin allows for Stored XSS attacks, specifically targeting authenticated users (admin+) who access the plugin versions 2.5 or lower.

The Impact of CVE-2023-24391

The impact of CVE-2023-24391 is classified as medium severity, with a base score of 5.9 under the CVSS v3.1 scoring system. This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers with high privileges to alter the integrity of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-24391

The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, relating to the improper neutralization of input during web page generation ('Cross-site Scripting'). The attack complexity is considered low, requiring high privileges for exploitation, and user interaction is necessary for successful execution.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows for Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks on the Spider Teams ApplyOnline plugin versions 2.5 and below, impacting authenticated users (admin+).

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected system is the Spider Teams ApplyOnline plugin, specifically versions equal to or lower than 2.5.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by authenticated users (admin+) to inject malicious scripts into the plugin, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data manipulation.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-24391, immediate actions and long-term security practices are recommended to mitigate the risk of exploitation and enhance system security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Spider Teams ApplyOnline plugin to a version beyond 2.5 that includes a patch for the XSS vulnerability.
Limit access to the plugin to authorized users only, reducing the potential attack surface.
Monitor system logs and user activities for any suspicious behavior indicating XSS attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential vulnerabilities in plugins and applications.
Educate users on safe browsing practices and awareness of XSS threats to prevent future incidents.
Implement content security policies (CSP) to control and mitigate risks associated with XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by the plugin vendor (Spider Teams). Apply updates promptly to ensure the system is protected against known vulnerabilities, including the XSS issue outlined in CVE-2023-24391.