CVE-2023-4718 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-4718 pertains to a vulnerability found in the Font Awesome 4 Menus plugin for WordPress, allowing for Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks in versions up to and including 4.7.0. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher can inject malicious scripts via specific shortcodes.

Understanding CVE-2023-4718

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2023-4718 vulnerability and its implications for users of the affected plugin.

What is CVE-2023-4718?

The vulnerability in the Font Awesome 4 Menus plugin allows attackers to execute Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks by exploiting inadequate input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes. This could lead to the injection of arbitrary web scripts that execute when users access affected pages.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4718

The impact of CVE-2023-4718 is significant as it enables authenticated attackers with specific permissions to potentially execute malicious scripts on web pages, compromising the security and integrity of the WordPress site.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4718

In this section, we discuss the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-4718 vulnerability, including the description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in the 'fa' and 'fa-stack' shortcodes of the Font Awesome 4 Menus plugin, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Font Awesome 4 Menus plugin versions up to and including 4.7.0 are impacted by this vulnerability. Users of these versions are at risk of exploitation by authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the lack of proper input sanitization and output escaping in the affected shortcodes to inject malicious web scripts. This enables them to execute harmful actions when users interact with compromised pages.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address the CVE-2023-4718 vulnerability, users should take immediate steps to mitigate the risk and implement long-term security practices to prevent similar issues in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update to a patched version of the Font Awesome 4 Menus plugin that addresses the vulnerability.
Monitor for any suspicious activity on the WordPress site, especially related to injected scripts or unusual behaviors.

Long-Term Security Practices

Employ robust input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms in all plugins and themes to safeguard against Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities.
Regularly update WordPress plugins and themes to ensure the latest security patches are in place.

Patching and Updates

Installing security patches and updates for the Font Awesome 4 Menus plugin is crucial to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2023-4718. Users should prioritize updating to versions that have addressed this vulnerability to enhance the security posture of their WordPress sites.