CVE-2023-5660 : What You Need to Know

This CVE record pertains to a vulnerability identified in the SendPress Newsletters plugin for WordPress, allowing for Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks. The vulnerability affects all versions of the plugin up to and including 1.22.3.31 and is attributed to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes.

Understanding CVE-2023-5660

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-5660, shedding light on the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact.

What is CVE-2023-5660?

CVE-2023-5660 involves Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) in the SendPress Newsletters plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability enables authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions and above to inject malicious web scripts via the plugin's shortcodes. These scripts can then be executed when a user accesses a compromised page, posing a security risk.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5660

The impact of CVE-2023-5660 is significant as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts on vulnerable WordPress sites using the affected plugin. This can lead to various malicious activities, including data theft, website defacement, and further exploitation of compromised systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5660

This section provides a deeper insight into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-5660, outlining the vulnerability description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the SendPress Newsletters plugin arises from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping, which fail to properly filter user-supplied attributes. This oversight enables attackers to embed malicious scripts that get executed within the context of the compromised webpage.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects all versions of the SendPress Newsletters plugin for WordPress up to and including version 1.22.3.31. Websites utilizing these versions are at risk of exploitation by authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting specially-crafted shortcodes with malicious scripts and injecting them into vulnerable pages using the SendPress Newsletters plugin. Subsequent access to these pages allows the malicious scripts to execute, potentially compromising user data and site integrity.

Mitigation and Prevention

In response to CVE-2023-5660, it is crucial for website owners and administrators to take immediate steps to mitigate the risk posed by the vulnerability. Additionally, implementing long-term security practices and staying updated with patches is vital to safeguarding WordPress sites against such threats.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the SendPress Newsletters plugin to the latest patched version to remediate the vulnerability.
Regularly monitor website activity for any suspicious behavior indicative of a security compromise.
Restrict contributor-level and above permissions to trusted users to reduce the likelihood of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict input validation and output escaping mechanisms in plugin development to prevent XSS vulnerabilities.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential security issues proactively.
Educate users and administrators on best practices for web security and safe plugin usage to enhance overall website protection.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by plugin developers to address vulnerabilities promptly. Timely installation of patches is crucial in mitigating the risk of exploitation and maintaining a secure WordPress environment.