CVE-2023-6941 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-6941 involves a vulnerability in the Keap Official Opt-in Forms WordPress plugin, specifically version 1.0.11 and below. The vulnerability allows high privilege users, such as administrators, to execute Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when certain capabilities are restricted.

Understanding CVE-2023-6941

This section delves into the nature of CVE-2023-6941, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-6941?

CVE-2023-6941 is a security vulnerability found in the Keap Official Opt-in Forms WordPress plugin versions up to 1.0.11. The flaw arises from a lack of proper sanitization and escaping of settings, enabling admin users to carry out Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2023-6941

The impact of CVE-2023-6941 is significant as it allows malicious admin users to inject and execute arbitrary scripts within the context of the affected website. This can lead to various security risks such as data theft, account compromise, and malware distribution.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-6941

Understanding the technical aspects of the vulnerability is crucial to implementing effective mitigation strategies.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Keap Official Opt-in Forms plugin lies in its failure to properly sanitize and escape certain settings. This oversight enables attackers with admin privileges to insert malicious scripts, leading to Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is the Keap Official Opt-in Forms WordPress plugin, specifically versions 1.0.11 and below. Users with these versions installed are at risk of exploitation by malicious actors.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the lack of input sanitization in the plugin, attackers can inject malicious scripts through the plugin's settings. This can be done by admin users, even in scenarios where certain capabilities are restricted.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2023-6941 requires immediate actions as well as long-term security practices to prevent future vulnerabilities.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users of the Keap Official Opt-in Forms plugin should update to the latest version immediately. Additionally, restricting admin privileges and implementing strict input validation can mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Incorporating regular security audits, staying informed about plugin updates and vulnerabilities, and training users on safe practices can enhance the overall security posture of WordPress websites.

Patching and Updates

Ensuring that the Keap Official Opt-in Forms plugin is regularly updated to the latest secure version is essential. Plugin developers must address issues related to input validation and escaping in their code to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.