CVE-2023-5125 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2023-5125 relates to a vulnerability found in the Contact Form by FormGet plugin for WordPress, allowing for Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Understanding CVE-2023-5125

This section will delve into the details of the CVE-2023-5125 vulnerability affecting the Contact Form by FormGet plugin for WordPress.

What is CVE-2023-5125?

CVE-2023-5125 is a vulnerability present in versions up to and including 5.5.5 of the Contact Form by FormGet plugin for WordPress. The flaw permits authenticated attackers with contributor-level or higher permissions to execute arbitrary web scripts via the 'formget' shortcode due to inadequate input sanitization and output escaping.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5125

The vulnerability in the Contact Form by FormGet plugin for WordPress can be exploited by malicious actors with certain permissions to inject malicious scripts into pages. This could lead to the execution of unauthorized scripts when accessed by users, potentially compromising the security and integrity of the website.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5125

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-5125, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Contact Form by FormGet plugin for WordPress arises from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes, specifically through the 'formget' shortcode.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Contact Form by FormGet plugin for WordPress versions up to and including 5.5.5 are impacted by CVE-2023-5125. Users utilizing these versions are vulnerable to stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious individuals with contributor-level or above permissions can exploit this vulnerability by injecting arbitrary web scripts through the 'formget' shortcode, enabling the execution of unauthorized scripts on affected pages.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section will outline the necessary steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-5125 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users of the Contact Form by FormGet plugin should immediately update to the latest version to mitigate the vulnerability.
Website administrators are advised to review and sanitize user inputs to prevent Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement proper input validation and output escaping techniques in web applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities.
Regular security audits and code reviews can help identify and address potential security flaws before they are exploited.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitor for plugin updates and security advisories from trustworthy sources.
Promptly apply patches and updates released by the plugin developer to address known vulnerabilities and enhance the security posture of the website.