CVE-2023-5664 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE-2023-5664 impacts the Garden Gnome Package plugin for WordPress, making it vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks. The vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 2.2.8 due to inadequate input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes. Attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher can inject malicious scripts into pages that execute when accessed by users. The issue was partially addressed in version 2.2.7 and completely fixed in version 2.2.9.

Understanding CVE-2023-5664

The CVE-2023-5664 vulnerability exposes websites that utilize the Garden Gnome Package plugin to the risk of cross-site scripting attacks. This can lead to unauthorized script execution on the affected web pages.

What is CVE-2023-5664?

CVE-2023-5664 is a vulnerability in the Garden Gnome Package plugin for WordPress that allows authenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts through the 'ggpkg' shortcode, potentially compromising the security of the website.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5664

The impact of CVE-2023-5664 can be severe as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of a website's users. This could lead to various forms of attacks, including theft of sensitive data or spread of malware.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5664

The following technical aspects of CVE-2023-5664 are crucial for understanding the nature of this vulnerability:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Garden Gnome Package plugin allows authenticated attackers to conduct Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks by injecting malicious scripts through the plugin's 'ggpkg' shortcode.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Garden Gnome Package plugin versions up to and including 2.2.8 are affected by this vulnerability. Websites using these versions are at risk of exploitation by malicious actors.

Exploitation Mechanism

Due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping, attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher can exploit this vulnerability to inject and execute arbitrary web scripts on affected pages.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-5664, the following steps are recommended:

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators should update the Garden Gnome Package plugin to version 2.2.9 or higher to fully patch the vulnerability.
Users with contributor-level permissions and above should be vigilant when handling user-supplied attributes to prevent unauthorized script injections.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict input validation and output encoding practices in plugin development to prevent cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.
Regular security audits and code reviews can help identify and address potential security issues in plugins and web applications.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by the plugin developer. Promptly apply patches to ensure the security of your WordPress website.