CVE-2023-6225 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2023-6225 article provides detailed information about a vulnerability found in the WP Shortcodes Plugin — Shortcodes Ultimate for WordPress.

Understanding CVE-2023-6225

The WP Shortcodes Plugin — Shortcodes Ultimate plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's su_meta shortcode combined with post meta data in all versions up to, and including, 5.13.3. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied meta values. This allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level and above permissions to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages, which will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.

What is CVE-2023-6225?

CVE-2023-6225 is a vulnerability that affects the WP Shortcodes Plugin — Shortcodes Ultimate for WordPress. It allows authenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages, leading to potential cross-site scripting attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2023-6225

The impact of CVE-2023-6225 is significant as it enables attackers with specific permissions to execute malicious scripts on WordPress pages, potentially compromising user data and site security.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-6225

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-6225 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the WP Shortcodes Plugin — Shortcodes Ultimate allows for Stored Cross-Site Scripting, posing a risk to WordPress sites utilizing the affected plugin versions.

Affected Systems and Versions

The WP Shortcodes Plugin — Shortcodes Ultimate versions up to and including 5.13.3 are impacted by this vulnerability. Sites using these versions are at risk of exploitation by authenticated attackers with contributor-level and above permissions.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2023-6225 involves combining the su_meta shortcode with post meta data containing insufficiently sanitized user-supplied values. This allows attackers to inject and execute malicious web scripts within compromised pages.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard against the CVE-2023-6225 vulnerability, immediate action and long-term security practices are necessary.

Immediate Steps to Take

Webmasters should promptly update the WP Shortcodes Plugin — Shortcodes Ultimate to a patched version beyond 5.13.3 to mitigate the risk of exploitation by authenticated attackers.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strict input sanitization and output escaping practices within WordPress plugins and themes can help prevent similar cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly checking for plugin updates and installing security patches from reputable sources, such as the plugin's official repository, can help maintain a secure WordPress environment and protect against known vulnerabilities.

By following these mitigation strategies, WordPress site owners can enhance their security posture and reduce the risk posed by CVE-2023-6225.