CVE-2023-5565 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2023-5565 affects the Shortcode Menu plugin for WordPress, making it vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting. Attackers with contributor-level and above permissions can exploit this vulnerability to inject arbitrary web scripts that execute when a user accesses an infected page. The CVE was discovered on October 12, 2023, with the vendor being notified on the same day and disclosure made on October 29, 2023 by Wordfence.

Understanding CVE-2023-5565

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-5565, the impact it poses, technical aspects of the vulnerability, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-5565?

CVE-2023-5565 is a vulnerability found in the Shortcode Menu plugin for WordPress, allowing authenticated attackers to execute Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks via the 'shortmenu' shortcode due to inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5565

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into pages within the affected plugin, leading to potential unauthorized access, data theft, or other malicious actions.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5565

Let's explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-5565, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Shortcode Menu plugin stems from a lack of proper input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes, allowing attackers to inject harmful scripts into pages.

Affected Systems and Versions

The versions of the Shortcode Menu plugin up to and including 3.2 are vulnerable to CVE-2023-5565. Users with these versions installed are at risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Authenticated attackers with contributor-level and above permissions can leverage the 'shortmenu' shortcode to inject and execute arbitrary web scripts within the plugin, compromising the security of the website.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-5565 and protect WordPress websites using the Shortcode Menu plugin, certain mitigation and prevention measures need to be implemented.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Shortcode Menu plugin to the latest version that contains a patch for CVE-2023-5565.
Monitor user permissions and restrict contributor-level access to prevent unauthorized script injections.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and review plugins for vulnerabilities and ensure timely updates.
Implement strong input validation and output escaping practices in plugin development to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from plugin developers and promptly apply patches or updates to mitigate known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-5565. Regularly update plugins and WordPress core to maintain a secure environment.