CVE-2023-39926 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability has been identified in the 'Acurax Under Construction / Maintenance Mode from Acurax' WordPress plugin version 2.6 and below.

Understanding CVE-2023-39926

This section will help you understand the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2023-39926.

What is CVE-2023-39926?

The CVE-2023-39926 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability present in the Acurax Under Construction / Maintenance Mode from Acurax plugin version 2.6 and earlier. This vulnerability could allow an attacker to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.

The Impact of CVE-2023-39926

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as HIGH with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.1. The attack complexity is considered LOW, but user interaction is required for exploitation. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker could potentially compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-39926

Let's delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-39926 to better understand the nature of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows for unauthenticated stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks on affected versions of the Acurax plugin. Attackers can inject malicious scripts that may be executed when other users access the affected pages.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts Acurax Under Construction / Maintenance Mode from Acurax plugin versions less than or equal to 2.6.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts into specific fields or parameters of the plugin, which are later rendered in web pages and executed in the context of unsuspecting users.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect your systems from CVE-2023-39926, follow these mitigation and prevention strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the plugin to the latest version to patch the vulnerability and eliminate the risk of exploitation.
Consider temporarily disabling the plugin until a patch is available if immediate updating is not feasible.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and update plugins and themes to ensure you are not running vulnerable versions.
Educate your team on security best practices to avoid falling victim to XSS and other types of attacks.

Patching and Updates

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