CVE-2023-3158 : Security Advisory and Response

In July 2023, the CVE-2023-3158 was published by Wordfence, identifying a vulnerability in the Mail Control plugin for WordPress, allowing for Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Understanding CVE-2023-3158

The vulnerability identified in CVE-2023-3158 exposes the Mail Control plugin for WordPress to Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in versions up to and including 0.2.8. This flaw enables unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts into pages, executing whenever a user accesses the manipulated page.

What is CVE-2023-3158?

CVE-2023-3158 highlights a security issue in the Mail Control plugin for WordPress, making it susceptible to Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2023-3158

The vulnerability poses a significant risk as it allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that can be executed within the context of the targeted user's interaction with the affected pages. This can lead to various security breaches and compromise the integrity of the WordPress site.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-3158

The following technical details outline the vulnerability and its implications:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Mail Control plugin for WordPress enables Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks by permitting unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts via email subjects.

Affected Systems and Versions

Mail Control plugin versions up to and including 0.2.8 are impacted by this vulnerability, while more recent versions remain unaffected.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts through email subjects, leveraging the lack of proper input sanitization and output escaping.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-3158, users and admins are advised to take immediate actions and implement long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or uninstall the vulnerable Mail Control plugin version 0.2.8 or below.
Regularly monitor for updates or patches released by the plugin vendor.

Long-Term Security Practices

Educate users and administrators about the importance of input validation and output escaping in preventing Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities.
Implement security best practices such as using security plugins and keeping software up to date.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates provided by the Mail Control plugin vendor to address the vulnerability and enhance the overall security posture of the WordPress site.