CVE-2023-5470 : What You Need to Know

This CVE was published by Wordfence on October 12, 2023. It pertains to a vulnerability in the Etsy Shop plugin for WordPress, allowing for Stored Cross-Site Scripting up to version 3.0.4. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher can exploit this vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2023-5470

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-5470, outlining its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-5470?

CVE-2023-5470 involves a vulnerability in the Etsy Shop plugin for WordPress, enabling Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the 'etsy-shop' shortcode. Attackers with specific permissions can inject malicious scripts into pages, leading to their execution when accessed by users.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5470

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts on targeted pages. This could result in various malicious activities, compromising the security and integrity of the affected WordPress websites.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5470

In this section, we will explore the technical details associated with CVE-2023-5470, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes, specifically within the 'etsy-shop' shortcode. This lack of proper validation facilitates the injection of malicious scripts by authenticated attackers.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Etsy Shop plugin for WordPress versions up to and including 3.0.4 is susceptible to this vulnerability. Websites utilizing these versions are at risk of exploitation by attackers with the necessary permissions.

Exploitation Mechanism

Authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or above can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious scripts and injecting them via the 'etsy-shop' shortcode. Once embedded, these scripts can execute whenever a user accesses the compromised pages.

Mitigation and Prevention

In response to CVE-2023-5470, several mitigation and prevention measures can be implemented to enhance the security of WordPress websites using the Etsy Shop plugin.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Etsy Shop plugin to a version beyond 3.0.4 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement strict input validation and output escaping mechanisms to prevent script injections.
Monitor website activity for any suspicious behavior indicative of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and update plugins, themes, and core software to address security vulnerabilities promptly.
Educate users and administrators about safe practices and potential security risks associated with plugins.
Consider implementing additional security measures such as Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) to enhance website security.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial to stay informed about security patches and updates released by plugin developers. Promptly applying patches and staying up-to-date with the latest plugin versions can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation related to CVE-2023-5470.