CVE-2023-27613 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-27613 was published by Patchstack on March 5, 2023, and the details were updated on May 29, 2023. It involves an unauthenticated reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the MonitorClick Forms Ada – Form Builder plugin versions equal to or lower than 1.0.

Understanding CVE-2023-27613

This section delves into the specific details of the CVE-2023-27613 vulnerability, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-27613?

The CVE-2023-27613 vulnerability pertains to an unauthenticated reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue identified in the MonitorClick Forms Ada – Form Builder plugin versions 1.0 and below. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a legitimate user's web browser.

The Impact of CVE-2023-27613

The impact of CVE-2023-27613 is rated as high severity with a base score of 7.1 according to the CVSS v3.1 metrics. The vulnerability can be exploited over a network without requiring any privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data manipulation, or other malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-27613

Here, we discuss the technical aspects of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the MonitorClick Forms Ada – Form Builder plugin versions 1.0 and below allows unauthenticated attackers to perform reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks, posing a serious security risk to affected systems.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts MonitorClick Forms Ada – Form Builder plugin versions 1.0 and below. Users with these versions installed are at risk of exploitation unless appropriate measures are taken.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability involves crafting malicious URLs containing scripts that, when accessed by a user with the vulnerable plugin installed, trigger the execution of unauthorized code within the user's browser.

Mitigation and Prevention

In response to CVE-2023-27613, it is crucial for users to take immediate steps to mitigate the risk and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or Remove the Vulnerable Plugin: Consider disabling or removing the MonitorClick Forms Ada – Form Builder plugin version 1.0 or below from your WordPress site to prevent exploitation.
Update to a Patched Version: Check for security updates or patches provided by the plugin vendor and apply them promptly to eliminate the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits of all plugins and extensions used in your WordPress site to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
Security Awareness Training: Educate users and administrators about the risks of XSS vulnerabilities and best practices to mitigate such threats.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by MonitorClick for the Forms Ada – Form Builder plugin. Regularly update the plugin to the latest secure version to safeguard your website from known vulnerabilities.

By following these mitigation and prevention practices, website owners can enhance the security of their WordPress sites and protect them from potential XSS attacks.