CVE-2023-37983 : Security Advisory and Response

This article provides detailed information on CVE-2023-37983, a Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability affecting the WordPress Art Direction plugin.

Understanding CVE-2023-37983

CVE-2023-37983 is a vulnerability found in the Noël Jackson Art Direction plugin for WordPress, up to version 0.2.4. The vulnerability allows for stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.

What is CVE-2023-37983?

CVE-2023-37983 is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability that affects the Art Direction plugin developed by Noël Jackson, with versions up to 0.2.4. This vulnerability could be exploited by authenticated contributors, leading to potential security risks.

The Impact of CVE-2023-37983

The impact of CVE-2023-37983, also known as CAPEC-592 Stored XSS, is rated as Medium severity. It allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially compromising sensitive data and leading to unauthorized actions.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-37983

CVE-2023-37983 is assessed with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.5, indicating a Medium severity level. The vulnerability has a low attack complexity and requires user interaction to be exploited. The affected system's confidentiality, integrity, and availability are at risk.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Art Direction plugin allows authenticated contributors to store malicious scripts that can be executed in the context of other users' interactions with the affected web application.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts versions of the Noël Jackson Art Direction plugin up to and including 0.2.4.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with contributor-level access can exploit this vulnerability by storing crafted scripts that will be executed when other users interact with the plugin, potentially leading to XSS attacks and data theft.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-37983, immediate steps should be taken to secure affected systems and prevent unauthorized access.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Art Direction plugin to the latest version to eliminate the vulnerability.
Regularly monitor and review user-contributed content to detect any malicious scripts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement web application firewalls to filter and monitor incoming traffic for XSS attempts.
Educate users with contributor access on secure coding practices and the dangers of XSS vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for the Art Direction plugin and apply patches promptly to address known vulnerabilities.