CVE-2023-5291 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-5291 information includes details of a vulnerability in the Blog Filter plugin for WordPress that allows for Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Understanding CVE-2023-5291

This CVE refers to a vulnerability in the Blog Filter plugin for WordPress that could be exploited by attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages.

What is CVE-2023-5291?

The Blog Filter plugin for WordPress is susceptible to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the 'AWL-BlogFilter' shortcode. Attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher can exploit this vulnerability to inject harmful web scripts that execute whenever a user accesses the compromised page.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5291

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary scripts on WordPress sites using the affected plugin, potentially leading to further exploitation of users or the compromise of sensitive data.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5291

This section provides more in-depth technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Blog Filter plugin for WordPress arises from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes, enabling attackers to insert malicious scripts into web pages.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected version of the Blog Filter plugin for WordPress is up to and including 1.5.3. Users with this version installed are at risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with contributor-level permissions or above can leverage the 'AWL-BlogFilter' shortcode to inject malicious scripts into web pages, exploiting the lack of proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-5291 and enhance security measures, follow the recommendations below.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Blog Filter plugin to version 1.5.4 or higher, where the vulnerability has been patched.
If updating is not feasible immediately, consider disabling the affected plugin temporarily to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for plugin updates and security advisories to ensure vulnerabilities are addressed promptly.
Implement defense-in-depth strategies to protect against potential exploits, such as minimizing user permissions and employing web application firewalls.

Patching and Updates

Vendor updates and patches play a crucial role in addressing vulnerabilities. Stay informed about security updates for the Blog Filter plugin and apply them as soon as they become available to safeguard your WordPress site.