CVE-2023-25786 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-25786 was assigned by Patchstack on February 15, 2023, and was published on May 3, 2023. It relates to a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the "Eyes Only: User Access Shortcode" plugin for WordPress versions up to and including 1.8.2.

Understanding CVE-2023-25786

This section delves into the details of the vulnerability and its implications.

What is CVE-2023-25786?

CVE-2023-25786 refers to an authentication (admin+) stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in the Thom Stark Eyes Only: User Access Shortcode plugin version 1.8.2 and below. This vulnerability can allow an attacker to execute malicious scripts in the context of an authenticated admin user, potentially leading to unauthorized actions on the affected website.

The Impact of CVE-2023-25786

The impact of this vulnerability is categorized under CAPEC-592, denoting Stored XSS. It has a CVSSv3.1 base score of 5.9, with medium severity. The attack complexity is low, but high privileges are required. The exploit necessitates user interaction and can lead to changes in the system scope, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability to some extent.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-25786

This section elucidates the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, also known as 'Cross-site Scripting' (CWE-79). It allows attackers to inject and execute malicious scripts within the vulnerable plugin, compromising the security of the WordPress website.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts the Eyes Only: User Access Shortcode plugin versions up to and including 1.8.2, developed by Thom Stark.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability requires authentication as an admin user, enabling attackers to store and execute malicious scripts within the plugin's scope.

Mitigation and Prevention

To secure systems from CVE-2023-25786, immediate actions should be taken along with adopting long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the "Eyes Only: User Access Shortcode" plugin to a secure version that addresses the XSS vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict user privileges to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks within the application.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit plugins and themes for vulnerabilities and ensure timely updates.
Educate website administrators on secure coding practices and the risks associated with XSS vulnerabilities.
Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) to detect and block XSS attacks in real-time.

Patching and Updates

Thom Stark or the relevant plugin developers should release a patch that fixes the XSS vulnerability in the Eyes Only: User Access Shortcode plugin. Website administrators are advised to apply patches promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation.