CVE-2023-5163 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-5163 details a vulnerability in the Weather Atlas Widget plugin for WordPress, allowing for Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Understanding CVE-2023-5163

This vulnerability in the Weather Atlas Widget plugin for WordPress exposes websites to potential security risks due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping.

What is CVE-2023-5163?

The CVE-2023-5163 vulnerability in the Weather Atlas Widget plugin for WordPress enables authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions to inject malicious web scripts using the 'shortcode-weather-atlas' shortcode. These scripts can execute when a user accesses the compromised page.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5163

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts on the affected website, potentially leading to further exploits such as session hijacking, defacement, or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5163

The technical details of this CVE include specifics on the nature of the vulnerability, affected systems and versions, and the mechanism through which exploitation can occur.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a lack of proper input sanitization and output escaping in the Weather Atlas Widget plugin for WordPress, specifically within the 'shortcode-weather-atlas' shortcode implementation.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Weather Atlas Widget plugin for WordPress versions up to and including 1.2.1 are impacted by this vulnerability. Websites using these versions are at risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious web scripts via the vulnerable 'shortcode-weather-atlas' shortcode, leading to Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understanding how to mitigate and prevent CVE-2023-5163 is crucial to maintaining the security of websites utilizing the Weather Atlas Widget plugin for WordPress.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to the latest version of the Weather Atlas Widget plugin (version higher than 1.2.1) to eliminate the vulnerability.
Monitor website activity for any signs of malicious behavior or unauthorized script execution.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update plugins and themes to ensure vulnerabilities are patched promptly.
Implement security best practices, such as input validation and output encoding, to prevent Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by the Weather Atlas Widget plugin developers. Apply updates promptly to protect your website from potential exploits.