CVE-2023-28776 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-28776, a Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability found in the WordPress Continuous Image Carousel With Lightbox Plugin version 1.0.15 and below.

Understanding CVE-2023-28776

CVE-2023-28776 is a security vulnerability that affects the Continuous Image Carousel With Lightbox plugin by I Thirteen Web Solution. The vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in a victim's browser, potentially leading to the theft of sensitive information or unauthorized actions on the website.

What is CVE-2023-28776?

The CVE-2023-28776 vulnerability is classified as a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue, specifically identified as CAPEC-591 Reflected XSS. This type of vulnerability occurs when user input is not properly sanitized and is reflected back to users in an unsafe manner, enabling attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28776

With a CVSS severity score of 7.1 (High), the impact of CVE-2023-28776 is significant. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to launch various attacks, compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. Since user interaction is required, visitors to a compromised website can inadvertently trigger the exploit.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28776

The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), also known as Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). The affected plugin versions include 1.0.15 and below, with the issue being unaddressed in these versions.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows for Unauthenticated Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) in the Continuous Image Carousel With Lightbox plugin version 1.0.15 and below, impacting the security of websites utilizing this plugin.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects the Continuous Image Carousel With Lightbox plugin version 1.0.15 and below, leaving websites using these versions susceptible to exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts through user input fields or URLs, which are then executed in the browsers of other users visiting the compromised website.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-28776 and prevent potential exploitation, it is crucial to take immediate action and implement long-term security practices to safeguard web applications from similar vulnerabilities.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators should update the Continuous Image Carousel With Lightbox plugin to version 1.0.16 or newer, as provided by the vendor as a patch to mitigate the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement security best practices such as input validation, output encoding, and regular security assessments to identify and remediate vulnerabilities proactively, reducing the risk of XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitor for security updates from plugin vendors and apply patches promptly to maintain the security and integrity of web applications, preventing potential exploits of known vulnerabilities.