CVE-2023-7154 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-7154, assigned by WPScan.

Understanding CVE-2023-7154

CVE-2023-7154, titled "Hubbub Lite < 1.32.0 - Admin+ Stored XSS," is a vulnerability identified in the Hubbub Lite WordPress plugin.

What is CVE-2023-7154?

The vulnerability in the Hubbub Lite (formerly Grow Social) WordPress plugin before version 1.32.0 stems from inadequate sanitization and escaping of certain settings. This flaw could potentially enable users with elevated privileges, such as admins, to execute Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks, even when restrictions like the unfiltered_html capability are in place (e.g., in a multisite configuration).

The Impact of CVE-2023-7154

Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to malicious actors injecting and executing arbitrary scripts within the context of the affected WordPress site, posing a significant risk to the site's integrity and potentially compromising user data.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-7154

This section explores the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-7154 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize and escape certain user-controlled data, creating an avenue for attackers to embed malicious scripts that can be executed within the site's environment.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects versions of the Hubbub Lite plugin for WordPress prior to version 1.32.0.

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious actors with high-level privileges, such as admin access, can exploit this vulnerability to inject and execute malicious scripts, potentially compromising the security and functionality of the affected WordPress site.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2023-7154 involves implementing appropriate mitigation strategies and security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update: Immediately update the Hubbub Lite plugin to version 1.32.0 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitoring: Regularly monitor for any signs of unauthorized script injections or suspicious activities on the WordPress site.

Long-Term Security Practices

Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits of plugins and extensions to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
User Permissions: Restrict user privileges to limit the impact of potential security breaches.
Security Awareness: Educate users about security best practices to prevent social engineering attacks and other security threats.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches released by plugin developers and promptly apply updates to ensure the protection of WordPress sites against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-7154.