CVE-2023-5119 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This article discusses CVE-2023-5119, which involves a vulnerability in the Forminator and Forminator Pro WordPress plugins, specifically related to stored cross-site scripting.

Understanding CVE-2023-5119

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-5119, shedding light on the vulnerability, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-5119?

CVE-2023-5119 pertains to a security flaw in the Forminator WordPress plugin version prior to 1.27.0. This vulnerability arises from inadequate sanitization of the redirect-url field in the form submission settings. This oversight allows high-privilege users, such as administrators, to inject malicious web scripts, even when the unfiltered_html capability is restricted, particularly in a multisite setup.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5119

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables malicious actors with high privileges to execute cross-site scripting attacks, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or further compromise of the affected WordPress sites.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5119

In this section, we explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-5119, including vulnerability descriptions, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Forminator and Forminator Pro WordPress plugins (version < 1.27.0) arises from the improper sanitization of the redirect-url field in form submission settings. This flaw allows for the injection of malicious web scripts by privileged users, leading to potential security breaches.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is the Forminator plugin with versions prior to 1.27.0. Users of these vulnerable versions are at risk of being impacted by the stored cross-site scripting vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-5119 involves leveraging the insufficient sanitization of the redirect-url field by a high-privilege user, like an administrator, to inject malicious scripts into the affected WordPress site, bypassing security restrictions.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the necessary steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-5119, including immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators and users are advised to update the Forminator plugin to version 1.27.0 or higher to patch the vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation. Additionally, it is crucial to monitor for any unauthorized activities on the site and ensure regular security audits.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance overall security posture, organizations should implement robust security measures, such as adopting secure coding practices, regular security assessments, and user privilege management to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.

Patching and Updates

Staying proactive with software updates and patch management is essential to address known vulnerabilities promptly. Regularly monitoring for security advisories and applying patches from reputable sources can help mitigate risks and enhance the security of WordPress sites.