CVE-2023-5295 : What You Need to Know

This CVE, issued by Wordfence, involves a vulnerability in the Blog Filter plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions up to and including 1.4 of the plugin. The vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level and above permissions to execute arbitrary web scripts via stored Cross-Site Scripting.

Understanding CVE-2023-5295

This section will delve into the specifics of CVE-2023-5295, outlining what it is and the impact it can have on affected systems.

What is CVE-2023-5295?

The CVE-2023-5295 vulnerability is a case of Stored Cross-Site Scripting in the 'vivafbcomment' shortcode of the Comments by Startbit plugin for WordPress. This issue arises due to inadequate input sanitization and output escaping, enabling attackers to inject malicious web scripts into pages.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5295

The impact of CVE-2023-5295 is significant as it allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level and above permissions to inject and execute arbitrary web scripts. This can lead to the compromise of user data, unauthorized access, and potential manipulation of website content.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5295

In this section, we will explore the technical details of CVE-2023-5295, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Comments by Startbit plugin arises due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping within the 'vivafbcomment' shortcode. This enables attackers to inject malicious web scripts that execute when a user accesses the compromised page.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected system identified in this CVE is the 'Comments by Startbit' plugin with versions up to and including 1.4. Users utilizing these versions are vulnerable to exploitation via stored Cross-Site Scripting.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with contributor-level and above permissions can exploit CVE-2023-5295 by inserting malicious scripts through the 'vivafbcomment' shortcode. Once injected, these scripts will execute whenever a user views the compromised page.

Mitigation and Prevention

Mitigating the risks associated with CVE-2023-5295 requires immediate action and the implementation of long-term security practices to safeguard systems from similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators are advised to update the 'Comments by Startbit' plugin to a patched version beyond 1.4 or deactivate the plugin until a fix is available. Furthermore, monitoring for unauthorized changes in website content is crucial to detect potential exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance website security, organizations should enforce rigorous input validation practices, implement robust output escaping mechanisms, and conduct regular security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Developers of the affected plugin should release a patch that addresses the input sanitization and output escaping vulnerabilities present in versions up to 1.4. Users are encouraged to promptly apply patches and updates to safeguard their systems from potential exploitation.