CVE-2023-5062 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE-2023-5062 is related to a vulnerability in the WordPress Charts plugin for WordPress, allowing for Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Understanding CVE-2023-5062

This section provides insight into the nature and impact of the CVE-2023-5062 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2023-5062?

The WordPress Charts plugin for WordPress is susceptible to Stored Cross-Site Scripting through the 'wp_charts' shortcode. This vulnerability exists in versions up to and including 0.7.0 due to inadequate input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes. Attackers with contributor-level and above permissions can inject malicious web scripts into pages, leading to script execution when users access the compromised page.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5062

With a CVSSv3 base score of 6.4 (Medium severity), this vulnerability poses a threat to the security of WordPress websites utilizing the affected plugin. An authenticated attacker can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary scripts, potentially leading to unauthorized actions and data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5062

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability, including affected systems, exploitation mechanisms, and versions.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in the WordPress Charts plugin when processing user-supplied attributes via the 'wp_charts' shortcode. This allows attackers to insert and execute malicious scripts on affected pages.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts WordPress Charts plugin versions up to and including 0.7.0. Websites using these vulnerable versions are at risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher can leverage the vulnerability to inject malicious web scripts via the 'wp_charts' shortcode, leading to Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard against CVE-2023-5062 and similar security risks, immediate actions and long-term security practices are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the WordPress Charts plugin to a patched version beyond 0.7.0 to eliminate the vulnerability.
Monitor user-generated content on your website for suspicious scripts or activities.
Consider restricting contributor-level permissions to minimize the potential impact of such attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update plugins and themes to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement strict input validation and output encoding practices to prevent XSS attacks.
Educate users and administrators about best security practices to enhance overall web security.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates provided by plugin developers. Timely installation of patches helps mitigate security risks and ensures the protection of WordPress websites against known vulnerabilities.