CVE-2023-5817 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This is a detailed analysis of CVE-2023-5817, highlighting its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2023-5817

The Neon text plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's neontext_box shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 1.1. This vulnerability exists due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes (color). It allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level and above permissions to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages. The severity of this vulnerability is rated as MEDIUM.

What is CVE-2023-5817?

CVE-2023-5817 is a vulnerability found in the Neon text plugin for WordPress, allowing authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts using a specific shortcode.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5817

The impact of this vulnerability is the potential injection of malicious scripts into WordPress pages, leading to unauthorized script execution when accessed by users.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5817

The following technical aspects outline the vulnerability in more detail:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to insert malicious scripts using the neontext_box shortcode in the Neon text plugin for WordPress.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects all versions of the Neon text plugin up to and including 1.1.

Exploitation Mechanism

Authenticated attackers with contributor-level and above permissions can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious code through the plugin's shortcode.

Mitigation and Prevention

It's crucial to take immediate steps to address CVE-2023-5817 and implement long-term security practices to prevent such vulnerabilities moving forward.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Neon text plugin to a version that includes a fix for CVE-2023-5817.
Consider restricting contributor-level permissions to reduce the attack surface.
Regularly monitor and audit user-contributed content for suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement thorough input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms in all user-driven functionalities.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing on WordPress plugins to identify and address vulnerabilities promptly.
Educate users and administrators on secure coding practices and the importance of keeping plugins updated.

Patching and Updates

Ensure your WordPress plugins, including the Neon text plugin, are regularly updated to the latest versions that address security vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-5817. Regularly check for security patches released by the plugin developers and apply them promptly.