CVE-2023-28773 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-28773 article provides detailed information about a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the WordPress Secondary Title Plugin version <= 2.0.9.1.

Understanding CVE-2023-28773

This section delves deeper into the nature of CVE-2023-28773 and its impact on systems running the affected plugin.

What is CVE-2023-28773?

CVE-2023-28773 refers to an Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in the Secondary Title plugin for WordPress versions up to 2.0.9.1. This vulnerability allows attackers with contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28773

The impact of this vulnerability is classified as storing and executing malicious scripts on websites, leading to potential data theft, unauthorized access, and other malicious activities. It has been assigned the CAPEC-592 identifier for "Stored XSS".

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28773

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability, affected systems, and how it can be exploited.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in question involves improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically relating to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) in the Secondary Title plugin for WordPress versions up to 2.0.9.1.

Affected Systems and Versions

The CVE-2023-28773 impacts websites using the Secondary Title plugin for WordPress with versions less than or equal to 2.0.9.1. Websites running these versions are at risk of exploitation through stored XSS attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by leveraging contributor-level access to WordPress sites utilizing the affected Secondary Title plugin. By injecting specially crafted scripts, they can manipulate the content displayed to users, potentially leading to script execution in the context of other users.

Mitigation and Prevention

In response to CVE-2023-28773, it is crucial to take immediate remediation steps and implement long-term security practices to protect systems from potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Secondary Title plugin to the latest version to patch the XSS vulnerability.
Monitor user activity, especially those with contributor-level access.
Regularly scan and audit websites for any signs of unauthorized script injections.

Long-Term Security Practices

Educate users on secure coding practices and the risks associated with XSS vulnerabilities.
Implement a Content Security Policy (CSP) to mitigate the impact of XSS attacks.
Utilize a web application firewall to filter and block malicious requests.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates for WordPress plugins, especially for the Secondary Title plugin, to prevent potential XSS vulnerabilities from being exploited.