CVE-2023-5468 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE record details a vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5468 in the Slick Contact Forms plugin for WordPress. The vulnerability allows for Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the 'dcscf-link' shortcode in versions up to and including 1.3.7. The issue arises from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes, enabling authenticated attackers with contributor-level and above permissions to inject arbitrary web scripts on pages.

Understanding CVE-2023-5468

This section delves into the specifics of CVE-2023-5468, including the vulnerability description, impact, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, mitigation, and prevention methods.

What is CVE-2023-5468?

CVE-2023-5468 is a vulnerability found in the Slick Contact Forms plugin for WordPress, enabling stored Cross-Site Scripting due to inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5468

The impact of CVE-2023-5468 is significant as it allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level and above permissions to inject malicious web scripts that execute upon user access to affected pages, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5468

This part provides detailed technical information about CVE-2023-5468, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Slick Contact Forms plugin for WordPress arises from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping, allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary web scripts via the 'dcscf-link' shortcode in versions up to 1.3.7.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected system is the Slick Contact Forms plugin for WordPress versions up to and including 1.3.7. Users with contributor-level and above permissions are susceptible to the vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by leveraging the 'dcscf-link' shortcode, injecting malicious web scripts that execute when users access compromised pages.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the necessary steps to mitigate the impact of CVE-2023-5468 and prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately updating the Slick Contact Forms plugin to versions beyond 1.3.7 or uninstalling the plugin can mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2023-5468. Additionally, users are advised to review and restrict user permissions to minimize the impact of potential attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strict input validation and output escaping mechanisms in web development practices can prevent Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-5468. Regular security audits and staying informed about plugin updates and security patches are essential for long-term security.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating plugins to the latest secure versions and promptly applying security patches from reliable sources are crucial practices to prevent vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-5468 from being exploited.