CVE-2023-6446 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-6446, a vulnerability affecting the Calculated Fields Form plugin for WordPress, up to version 1.2.40. The vulnerability allows for Stored Cross-Site Scripting, potentially enabling attackers to inject malicious scripts into pages.

Understanding CVE-2023-6446

This section delves into the specifics of CVE-2023-6446, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-6446?

CVE-2023-6446 is a vulnerability found in the Calculated Fields Form plugin for WordPress. It arises from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in the admin settings, leading to Stored Cross-Site Scripting. Attackers with administrator-level permissions can inject harmful web scripts that execute when users access affected pages. Notably, this vulnerability impacts multi-site installations and instances where unfiltered_html is disabled.

The Impact of CVE-2023-6446

The impact of CVE-2023-6446 is significant as it allows authenticated attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a user's session, potentially compromising sensitive information, conducting phishing attacks, or defacing websites. Given its medium severity base score of 4.4, this vulnerability underscores the importance of prompt mitigation.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-6446

This section outlines the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the mechanism of exploitation.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Calculated Fields Form plugin arises from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping in admin settings, allowing authenticated attackers to inject malicious web scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects all versions of the Calculated Fields Form plugin up to and including version 1.2.40. Specifically, multi-site installations and setups where unfiltered_html is disabled are susceptible.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with administrator-level permissions or higher can exploit the vulnerability by injecting malicious web scripts via admin settings, enabling the execution of these scripts upon user interaction.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section provides guidance on mitigating the risks associated with CVE-2023-6446 and preventing potential attacks.

Immediate Steps to Take

To address CVE-2023-6446, users are advised to update the Calculated Fields Form plugin to a version beyond 1.2.40. Additionally, site administrators should closely monitor for any unauthorized script injections and review user permissions to limit exposure.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust input validation and output escaping practices within custom plugins and themes can mitigate similar vulnerabilities in the future. Regular security audits and educating users on safe practices can also enhance overall website security.

Patching and Updates

Developers should prioritize patching vulnerable plugins promptly upon receiving updates from plugin vendors. Regularly updating plugins, themes, and the WordPress core is essential to safeguard against known vulnerabilities and maintain a secure web environment.