CVE-2023-37994 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

WordPress Art Decoration Shortcode Plugin <= 1.5.6 is vulnerable to Cross Site Scripting (XSS).

Understanding CVE-2023-37994

This CVE involves an Authenticated (contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in the Art Decoration Shortcode plugin by Artem Abramovich up to version 1.5.6.

What is CVE-2023-37994?

The CVE-2023-37994 identifies an Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the Art Decoration Shortcode plugin version 1.5.6 and below. This vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.

The Impact of CVE-2023-37994

The impact of this CVE is rated as MEDIUM severity with a CVSS base score of 6.5. If exploited, attackers can execute malicious scripts in the context of a user's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-37994

This section provides insights into the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Art Decoration Shortcode plugin allows authenticated contributors or higher-level users to store malicious scripts, leading to potential Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts the Art Decoration Shortcode plugin versions up to 1.5.6.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with contributor access or higher can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts through the plugin, which may execute when viewed by other users.

Mitigation and Prevention

In order to protect systems from CVE-2023-37994, certain mitigation steps need to be taken along with long-term security practices and timely patching.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update the Art Decoration Shortcode plugin to a secure version (1.5.7 or higher) to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. Additionally, maintaining strong user access controls can limit the impact of such issues.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, conducting regular security audits, and providing security awareness training to users can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly checking for plugin updates and promptly applying security patches is crucial to protect systems from known vulnerabilities.