CVE-2023-5337 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE-2023-5337 refers to a vulnerability found in the Contact form Form For All plugin for WordPress, allowing for Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks. The vulnerability exists in versions up to and including 1.2 due to inadequate input sanitization and output escaping, enabling authenticated attackers with contributor-level or higher permissions to inject malicious web scripts.

Understanding CVE-2023-5337

This section will provide an in-depth understanding of the CVE-2023-5337 vulnerability, including its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-5337?

CVE-2023-5337 is a vulnerability in the Contact form Form For All plugin for WordPress, facilitating Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks. Attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher can exploit this flaw to inject harmful web scripts into pages and execute them when accessed by users.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5337

The impact of CVE-2023-5337 is significant as it allows authenticated attackers to compromise the integrity of web pages, potentially leading to unauthorized script execution and further exploitation of user interactions.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5337

Let's delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-5337 to understand the vulnerability further, including its description, affected systems and versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Contact form Form For All plugin for WordPress arises from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping, enabling attackers to inject malicious scripts via the 'formforall' shortcode in versions up to 1.2.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Contact form Form For All plugin versions up to and including 1.2 are susceptible to the CVE-2023-5337 vulnerability. Users of these versions are at risk of potential Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-5337, authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions or above can utilize the lack of proper input sanitization and output escaping in the 'formforall' shortcode to inject and execute arbitrary web scripts on compromised pages.

Mitigation and Prevention

Mitigating the risks associated with CVE-2023-5337 involves taking immediate preventive measures and implementing long-term security practices to safeguard against similar vulnerabilities.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators are advised to update the Contact form Form For All plugin to a patched version beyond 1.2 to mitigate the vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring user permissions and monitoring script injections can help prevent exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Adopting secure coding practices, conducting regular security audits, and educating users on safe plugin usage are essential for maintaining a robust security posture and preventing future vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating plugins and software, implementing security patches promptly, and staying informed about security advisories are crucial steps in preventing and addressing vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-5337.