CVE-2023-2635 : What You Need to Know

This CVE record pertains to the "Call Now Accessibility Button" WordPress plugin before version 1.1, which is susceptible to a Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability, allowing high privilege users, such as admin, to execute attacks even when certain capabilities are restricted.

Understanding CVE-2023-2635

This section delves into the details surrounding CVE-2023-2635, shedding light on the vulnerability and its implications.

What is CVE-2023-2635?

CVE-2023-2635 revolves around a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability present in the Call Now Accessibility Button WordPress plugin prior to version 1.1. This flaw arises due to inadequate sanitation and escaping of certain settings within the plugin, thereby enabling privileged users to conduct XSS attacks, even when specific capabilities are restricted (e.g., in a multisite setup).

The Impact of CVE-2023-2635

The impact of CVE-2023-2635 is significant as it empowers malicious users with elevated permissions to execute harmful XSS attacks, potentially compromising the security and integrity of the affected WordPress sites. This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized actions, data theft, or further exploitation of the vulnerable system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2635

In this section, we delve deeper into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-2635, exploring the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Call Now Accessibility Button WordPress plugin before version 1.1 stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize and escape certain settings. This oversight facilitates the insertion of malicious scripts by privileged users, ultimately leading to a Stored Cross-Site Scripting exploit.

Affected Systems and Versions

The impacted system is the "Call Now Accessibility Button" WordPress plugin, specifically versions prior to 1.1. Users utilizing versions earlier than 1.1 are at risk of falling prey to the Stored XSS vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2023-2635 involves leveraging the lack of proper data sanitization within the plugin's settings by malicious actors with elevated privileges. By injecting malicious scripts through these unfiltered settings, attackers can execute Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks within the WordPress environment.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section focuses on the strategies to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2023-2635, emphasizing immediate steps to take, long-term security practices, and patching procedures.

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-2635, users should promptly update the Call Now Accessibility Button plugin to version 1.1 or later. Additionally, restricting access to high privilege accounts and closely monitoring for any suspicious activities can help prevent unauthorized exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, it is advisable for WordPress site administrators to prioritize security measures such as regular vulnerability assessments, implementing strict data validation and sanitization practices, and staying informed about potential security threats and updates within the WordPress ecosystem.

Patching and Updates

Ensuring the timely application of security patches and updates for all installed plugins, including the Call Now Accessibility Button, is crucial in safeguarding WordPress sites against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-2635. Regularly monitoring official plugin repositories for security updates and following best practices for secure coding can enhance the overall resilience of WordPress installations.