CVE-2023-27413 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-27413, assigned by Patchstack, was published on June 22, 2023, and is related to a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in the WordPress W4 Post List Plugin version 2.4.4 and earlier versions. The vulnerability was discovered by Abdi Pranata from the Patchstack Alliance.

Understanding CVE-2023-27413

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-27413, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-27413?

CVE-2023-27413 is a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the WordPress W4 Post List Plugin version 2.4.4 and below. It allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially leading to various security threats.

The Impact of CVE-2023-27413

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as medium with a CVSS base score of 6.5. It falls under CAPEC-592 (Stored XSS) and could result in unauthorized access, data theft, and manipulation of content, posing a risk to the integrity and confidentiality of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-27413

In this section, we will explore the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the WordPress W4 Post List Plugin version 2.4.4 and earlier allows for Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks, enabling malicious actors with contributor level access to inject and execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is the W4 Post List Plugin by Shazzad Hossain Khan, specifically versions up to and including 2.4.4. Users with these versions are at risk of exploitation if not patched.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by authenticated users with contributor access. By injecting malicious scripts into the plugin, attackers can execute code within the context of other users, leading to potential XSS attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the necessary steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-27413 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their WordPress W4 Post List Plugin to version 2.4.5 or higher to mitigate the Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability and prevent unauthorized code execution.

Long-Term Security Practices

It is recommended to follow security best practices such as regularly updating plugins, monitoring for vulnerabilities, enforcing least privilege access controls, and conducting security audits to enhance the overall security posture of WordPress installations.

Patching and Updates

Ensuring timely installation of security patches and updates is crucial in addressing vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-27413. Stay informed about security advisories from plugin vendors and apply patches promptly to protect systems from potential exploits.