CVE-2023-4502 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-4502, focusing on the vulnerability found in the Translate WordPress with GTranslate plugin version less than 3.0.4, leading to Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Understanding CVE-2023-4502

This section delves into the key aspects of CVE-2023-4502, shedding light on the vulnerability's nature and impact.

What is CVE-2023-4502?

CVE-2023-4502 pertains to the Translate WordPress with GTranslate plugin before version 3.0.4. The plugin fails to properly sanitize and escape certain settings, enabling high privilege users like admins to execute Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks, even if the unfiltered_html capability is disabled, particularly in a multisite setup. This vulnerability affects various parameters within the plugin.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4502

The impact of CVE-2023-4502 can be significant as it allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's settings, potentially compromising user data, executing unauthorized actions, or redirecting users to malicious websites.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4502

In this section, we delve deeper into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-4502, outlining the vulnerability, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Translate WordPress with GTranslate plugin version less than 3.0.4 arises from the lack of proper sanitization and escaping of certain settings, making it susceptible to Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected system is the Translate WordPress with GTranslate plugin, particularly versions prior to 3.0.4. Users with the vulnerable plugin installed are at risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-4502 involves leveraging the lack of sanitization in the plugin's settings to inject malicious scripts, leading to potential Cross-Site Scripting attacks by privileged users.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section offers guidance on mitigating the risks associated with CVE-2023-4502, including immediate steps to take, long-term security practices, and the importance of patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users of the Translate WordPress with GTranslate plugin should update to version 3.0.4 or higher immediately to mitigate the vulnerability. Additionally, restricting access to high-privileged accounts can help prevent potential exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing security best practices such as regular security audits, ensuring plugins are kept up to date, and educating users on safe online practices can enhance the overall security posture and prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly checking for and applying plugin updates, particularly for vulnerable versions, is crucial to address known security issues and protect the system from exploitation. Stay informed about security patches released by plugin developers to ensure timely mitigation of vulnerabilities.