CVE-2023-5741 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-5741 pertains to a vulnerability found in the POWR plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions up to and including 2.1.0. The vulnerability allows for Stored Cross-Site Scripting through insufficient input sanitization and output escaping, enabling authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions and above to inject malicious web scripts.

Understanding CVE-2023-5741

This section delves deeper into the nature and impact of CVE-2023-5741.

What is CVE-2023-5741?

The CVE-2023-5741 vulnerability is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting flaw present in the POWR plugin for WordPress. It arises due to inadequate handling of user-supplied attributes within the 'powr-powr-pack' shortcode.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5741

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows authenticated attackers to insert arbitrary web scripts into pages. These scripts will execute whenever a user accesses the compromised page, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5741

This section provides more technical insights into CVE-2023-5741.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in the POWR plugin's 'powr-powr-pack' shortcode, enabling attackers to inject malicious scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects all versions of the POWR plugin for WordPress up to and including 2.1.0.

Exploitation Mechanism

Authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions and above can exploit this vulnerability to insert and execute arbitrary web scripts on compromised pages.

Mitigation and Prevention

To prevent exploitation of CVE-2023-5741, immediate action and long-term security measures are recommended.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the POWR plugin to version 2.1.1 or higher to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor website activity for any signs of unauthorized scripts or suspicious behavior.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update all plugins, themes, and WordPress core to the latest versions.
Implement strict user permission controls to limit the impact of any potential security breaches.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all plugins, including the POWR plugin, are regularly updated to address known vulnerabilities and enhance overall security posture.