CVE-2023-2995 : What You Need to Know

This CVE record discloses a security vulnerability identified as a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue in the Leyka WordPress plugin prior to version 3.30.4. The vulnerability arises from inadequate sanitization and escaping of certain settings within the plugin, enabling higher-privilege users like administrators to execute XSS attacks, even if they are restricted from utilizing the unfiltered_html capability.

Understanding CVE-2023-2995

This section delves into the key aspects of CVE-2023-2995, shedding light on its nature, impact, technical details, and recommended mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-2995?

CVE-2023-2995 is a security flaw in the Leyka WordPress plugin before version 3.30.4 that leaves the plugin susceptible to Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks. By exploiting this vulnerability, malicious actors with elevated privileges, such as administrators, can inject and execute malicious scripts on web pages.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2995

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to manipulate the compromised website's content, steal user information, propagate phishing attacks, deface the site, or even distribute malware by injecting malicious scripts via the plugin.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2995

In this section, we discuss specific technical details of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Leyka WordPress plugin is a result of insufficient sanitization and escaping of certain settings, allowing threat actors to execute Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks by injecting malicious code within the plugin.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected system is the Leyka WordPress plugin with versions lower than 3.30.4. Specifically, versions below 3.30.4 are vulnerable to this Stored XSS security issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the lack of proper input sanitization in Leyka plugin settings, attackers can embed malicious scripts that will be executed when accessed by privileged users like administrators, potentially compromising the website's integrity and user data.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the necessary steps to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2023-2995 and prevent potential exploitation of the vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators and users are advised to update the Leyka plugin to version 3.30.4 or later to eliminate the vulnerability. Additionally, implementing strict input validation and output escaping practices can help mitigate the risk of XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance overall security posture, organizations should prioritize regular security audits, encourage responsible disclosure of vulnerabilities, educate users about safe browsing practices, and maintain up-to-date software and plugin versions to prevent such security loopholes.

Patching and Updates

Developers of the Leyka plugin have released version 3.30.4 to address the Stored XSS vulnerability. Users are strongly recommended to promptly apply this patch to safeguard their websites from potential exploitation and maintain a secure digital environment.