CVE-2023-45604 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability has been discovered in the WordPress Get Custom Field Values Plugin <= 4.0.1. This CVE-2023-45604 poses a medium severity risk, requiring high privileges for exploitation.

Understanding CVE-2023-45604

This section will cover the key aspects of CVE-2023-45604, including the vulnerability description, impact, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation steps.

What is CVE-2023-45604?

The CVE-2023-45604 identifies an Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Scott Reilly Get Custom Field Values WordPress plugin versions equal to or less than 4.0.1. The vulnerability allows attackers with administrative privileges to inject malicious scripts into the plugin, potentially leading to unauthorized actions on the affected WordPress site.

The Impact of CVE-2023-45604

The impact of CVE-2023-45604 is rated as medium severity with a base score of 5.9, following the CVSS v3.1 scoring system. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely, requiring high privileges for successful execution. Attackers can potentially modify content, steal sensitive data, or perform other malicious activities on the compromised WordPress site.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-45604

In this section, we will delve into the technical details of the CVE-2023-45604 vulnerability to provide a clearer understanding of its nature.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is caused by improper neutralization of user-supplied input, leading to the injection of malicious scripts in the plugin and enabling attackers to execute unauthorized actions on the target site.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Scott Reilly Get Custom Field Values Plugin versions less than or equal to 4.0.1 are affected by this vulnerability. Users with these versions installed are at risk of exploitation and compromise.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-45604, attackers need authenticated access with administrative privileges to the WordPress dashboard. By injecting crafted scripts into custom fields using the vulnerable plugin, attackers can execute malicious code in the context of the site's users, leading to potential data theft or site manipulation.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-45604 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Scott Reilly Get Custom Field Values Plugin to version 4.1 or higher to patch the vulnerability and prevent exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for plugin updates and security advisories to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins.
Employ strong authentication mechanisms and restrict administrative privileges to authorized personnel only.

Patching and Updates

Regularly update all WordPress plugins and themes to the latest versions to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.
Implement security best practices such as using security plugins, firewalls, and regular security audits to enhance the overall security posture of your WordPress site.