CVE-2023-5162 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the Options for Twenty Seventeen plugin for WordPress, allowing for Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks up to version 2.5.0. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher can exploit this flaw to inject malicious scripts into pages.

Understanding CVE-2023-5162

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-5162, including the vulnerability description, impact, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-5162?

CVE-2023-5162 pertains to a Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability in the Options for Twenty Seventeen plugin for WordPress. This flaw arises due to inadequate input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes, enabling attackers to inject harmful scripts into pages.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5162

The impact of this vulnerability is significant, as authenticated attackers can leverage it to execute arbitrary web scripts within pages accessible to users, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5162

In this section, we will explore the precise technical aspects of CVE-2023-5162, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Options for Twenty Seventeen plugin for WordPress allows authenticated attackers to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks through the 'social-links' shortcode, with versions up to and including 2.5.0 being affected.

Affected Systems and Versions

The plugin version 2.5.0 and below are vulnerable to the Stored Cross-Site Scripting issue, impacting users who utilize the Options for Twenty Seventeen plugin for WordPress.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the insufficient input sanitization and output escaping, authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher can inject malicious web scripts via the 'social-links' shortcode, enabling the execution of arbitrary code on targeted pages.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section will outline the measures to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2023-5162, including immediate steps to take, long-term security practices, and the importance of patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update the Options for Twenty Seventeen plugin to a patched version that addresses the Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability. Additionally, restricting contributor-level permissions and monitoring for suspicious activity can help mitigate risks.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance overall security posture, it is essential to regularly audit plugins for security vulnerabilities, educate users on safe practices, and implement strong input validation mechanisms to prevent future Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Patching and Updates

Vendor-supplied patches should be promptly applied to address known vulnerabilities. Keeping all software, including plugins and themes, up to date helps ensure that security patches are implemented to defend against evolving threats and exploits.