CVE-2023-0064 in eVision Responsive Column Layout Shortcodes Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/06/2023
The eVision Responsive Column Layout Shortcodes WordPress plugin through 2.3 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attributes before outputting them back in a page/post where the shortcode is embed, which could allow users with the contributor role and above to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2025
The CVE-2023-0064 vulnerability resides within the eVision Responsive Column Layout Shortcodes WordPress plugin version 2.3 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw that enables stored cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability specifically affects WordPress environments where the plugin is installed and actively used, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The flaw manifests when the plugin fails to properly sanitize and escape shortcode attributes before rendering them within web pages, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that persist in the database and execute whenever the affected content is displayed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode processing functions. When administrators or contributors with sufficient privileges create or edit content using the plugin's shortcodes, the system does not adequately filter or escape user-supplied attributes before incorporating them into the HTML output. This represents a classic stored XSS vulnerability pattern where malicious payloads are stored in the database and executed when legitimate users view the affected pages. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of shortcode parameters, which are typically used to define column layouts, styling options, and other presentation elements within WordPress posts and pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers with contributor-level privileges to establish persistent footholds within WordPress installations. This access level is particularly concerning because contributors often have the ability to create and modify content, making the attack surface significantly larger than initially apparent. Successful exploitation can lead to session hijacking, unauthorized content modification, data exfiltration, and potential privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once an attacker injects malicious code, it will persist and execute for all users who view the affected content, creating a continuous threat vector that can affect multiple users over extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-0064 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the vulnerability, as this represents the most direct solution to the identified flaw. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output escaping measures within their WordPress environments, ensuring that all user-supplied content undergoes proper sanitization before being processed or displayed. Security configurations should include regular monitoring of plugin updates and vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other installed components. Additionally, implementing content security policies and restricting user privileges to the minimum necessary levels can help reduce the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and follows ATT&CK technique T1546.001 for persistence through modification of system processes, as the stored nature of the exploit creates persistent access mechanisms within the WordPress environment.