CVE-2023-4520 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2023-4520 impacts the FV Flowplayer Video Player plugin for WordPress, making it vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting and Arbitrary Usermeta Update attacks. It was assigned by Wordfence and published on August 25, 2023.

Understanding CVE-2023-4520

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2023-4520 vulnerability affecting the FV Flowplayer Video Player plugin for WordPress.

What is CVE-2023-4520?

The FV Flowplayer Video Player plugin for WordPress is susceptible to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the '_fv_player_user_video' parameter and Arbitrary Usermeta Update due to inadequate input sanitization and output escaping in versions up to 7.5.37.7212. This enables unauthorized attackers to inject malicious scripts into pages and update user metas with arbitrary values, albeit restricted to strings.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4520

This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to inject harmful scripts that execute when a user accesses the compromised page. Additionally, attackers can modify user metas with arbitrary string values, potentially leading to further security breaches within WordPress websites using this plugin.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4520

This section provides a deeper look into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-4520, including its vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping in the FV Flowplayer Video Player plugin for WordPress, enabling Stored Cross-Site Scripting and Arbitrary Usermeta Updates.

Affected Systems and Versions

The CVE-2023-4520 vulnerability impacts FV Flowplayer Video Player plugin versions up to and including 7.5.37.7212. Users with these versions are exposed to the risks associated with Stored Cross-Site Scripting and Arbitrary Usermeta Update attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the '_fv_player_user_video' parameter and utilizing the 'save' function within the plugin. By injecting malicious scripts or updating user metas, unauthorized individuals can compromise the security of affected WordPress websites.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we outline the measures that users and administrators can take to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2023-4520 and prevent potential security incidents.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the FV Flowplayer Video Player plugin to a patched version that addresses the vulnerability.
Monitor user metas for any unauthorized changes and investigate any suspicious activity on the website.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement regular security audits and vulnerability scans on WordPress plugins to identify and address any potential security loopholes.
Educate users and administrators on best practices for securing WordPress websites and handling third-party plugins.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates released by the plugin developer and promptly apply patches to ensure the protection of your WordPress website against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-4520.