CVE-2023-44145 : What You Need to Know

WordPress Anchor Episodes Index (Spotify for Podcasters) Plugin <= 2.1.7 is vulnerable to Cross Site Scripting (XSS).

Understanding CVE-2023-44145

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in the Anchor Episodes Index plugin for WordPress, impacting versions equal to 2.1.7 and below.

What is CVE-2023-44145?

The CVE-2023-44145 involves an authentication (admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the jesweb.Dev Anchor Episodes Index (Spotify for Podcasters) plugin version 2.1.7 or below. This vulnerability may allow attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of an admin user.

The Impact of CVE-2023-44145

The impact of CVE-2023-44145 is categorized under CAPEC-592 - Stored XSS. With a CVSSv3.1 base score of 6.5, this medium severity vulnerability requires low privileges to exploit and user interaction is required.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-44145

This section outlines the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows for stored cross-site scripting (XSS) if an authenticated admin+ user interacts with a malicious payload in the affected plugin versions.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects the jesweb.Dev Anchor Episodes Index (Spotify for Podcasters) plugin versions up to 2.1.7.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting and submitting malicious scripts through the plugin, taking advantage of the XSS flaw to execute unauthorized code.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-44145, users and administrators should take immediate steps, adopt long-term security practices, and ensure timely patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the jesweb.Dev Anchor Episodes Index plugin to version 2.1.8 or higher.
Consider restricting admin+ privileges and user interactions to mitigate the risk of XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit WordPress plugins for security vulnerabilities.
Educate users on safe practices to avoid XSS vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for WordPress plugins and promptly apply patches from trusted sources to eliminate vulnerabilities.