CVE-2023-38396 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

WordPress Google Map Shortcode Plugin <= 3.1.2 is vulnerable to Cross Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attack.

Understanding CVE-2023-38396

This CVE identifies a CSRF vulnerability in the WordPress Google Map Shortcode Plugin version <= 3.1.2.

What is CVE-2023-38396?

The CVE-2023-38396 highlights a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability found in the Google Map Shortcode Plugin, specifically affecting versions up to 3.1.2.

The Impact of CVE-2023-38396

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as medium severity with a CVSS V3.1 base score of 5.4. It could allow an attacker to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of a user who is authenticated into the WordPress site.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-38396

This section covers the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Google Map Shortcode Plugin allows for CSRF attacks on WordPress sites using affected versions up to 3.1.2.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability impacts installations of the Google Map Shortcode Plugin with versions less than or equal to 3.1.2.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploit requires user interaction and can lead to unauthorized actions being performed via a CSRF attack.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here are the steps to mitigate and prevent potential exploitation of CVE-2023-38396.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Google Map Shortcode Plugin to a version beyond 3.1.2 to avoid this vulnerability.
Implement additional security measures to protect against CSRF attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update WordPress plugins to the latest secure versions.
Educate users on security best practices to avoid falling victim to CSRF attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches released by plugin developers and apply them promptly to keep your WordPress site secure.