CVE-2023-6782 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE-2023-6782 impacts the AMP for WP – Accelerated Mobile Pages plugin for WordPress, making it vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting. The vulnerability exists in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.92. Due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes, authenticated attackers with contributor-level and above permissions can inject arbitrary web scripts, potentially leading to the execution of malicious code when a user accesses an injected page.

Understanding CVE-2023-6782

This section will delve into what CVE-2023-6782 entails, its impact, technical details, and preventive measures.

What is CVE-2023-6782?

CVE-2023-6782 refers to a Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability in the AMP for WP – Accelerated Mobile Pages plugin for WordPress. Attackers with certain permissions can exploit this to inject harmful scripts into pages, posing a security risk to affected websites.

The Impact of CVE-2023-6782

The impact of this vulnerability lies in the potential for attackers to execute malicious scripts on vulnerable WordPress websites. This could lead to various consequences, including data theft, injection of harmful content, or further exploitation of the compromised website.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-6782

In this section, we will explore the vulnerability description, the affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes within the AMP for WP – Accelerated Mobile Pages plugin for WordPress. This flaw enables attackers to insert malicious scripts that may be executed when users interact with the targeted pages.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects all versions of the AMP for WP – Accelerated Mobile Pages plugin for WordPress up to, and including, 1.0.92. Websites utilizing these versions are at risk of exploitation by authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher.

Exploitation Mechanism

Authenticated attackers leverage the vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts using the plugin's shortcode(s) on affected WordPress pages. By executing these manipulated scripts, attackers can potentially compromise the security and integrity of the website.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-6782 and enhance overall security posture, it is crucial to implement immediate and long-term preventive measures and apply necessary patches and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators should promptly update the AMP for WP – Accelerated Mobile Pages plugin to a secure version beyond 1.0.92. Additionally, validating user input and implementing proper input sanitization and output escaping practices can mitigate the risk of script injections.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular security audits, code reviews, and user input validation protocols can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future. Security-conscious development practices and staying informed about plugin updates are essential for maintaining a secure WordPress environment.

Patching and Updates

Staying informed about security patches and updates released by the plugin vendor is crucial for addressing vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-6782. Timely application of patches and regular software updates can help mitigate risks and ensure the security of WordPress websites.