CVE-2023-0069 in WPaudio MP3 Player Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/06/2023
The WPaudio MP3 Player WordPress plugin through 4.0.2 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 • 03/31/2023
The WPaudio MP3 Player WordPress plugin version 4.0.2 and earlier contains a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects WordPress environments where the plugin is installed. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode processing functionality. The flaw specifically impacts how the plugin handles shortcode attributes, failing to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it back into web pages where the shortcode is embedded. Attackers with contributor-level privileges or higher can exploit this weakness to inject malicious scripts that will execute in the browsers of other users who view content containing the compromised shortcode.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without adequate validation or escaping. The vulnerability exists because the plugin does not implement proper sanitization routines for shortcode parameters before these values are rendered back to users. When a contributor or administrator creates content using the plugin's shortcode functionality and includes malicious script code within the attribute values, this code gets stored in the database and subsequently executed whenever the page containing the shortcode is viewed by other users. This creates a persistent threat vector that can affect any user who accesses content containing the malicious shortcode, regardless of their role level.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it enables attackers to perform a range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, redirection to malicious sites, and data exfiltration. Since contributors and above have sufficient privileges to create and publish content, they can easily inject payloads that persist across multiple user sessions. The stored nature of this XSS means that victims do not need to be actively viewing the page when the attack occurs, as the malicious code is already embedded in the stored content and will execute whenever the page loads. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in collaborative environments where multiple users contribute content to shared WordPress installations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the sanitization issues, as this represents the most effective defense against the current threat. Organizations should implement additional security measures including strict content filtering, role-based access controls, and regular security audits of installed plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1566, which covers "Phishing with Social Engineering", as attackers can use stored XSS to redirect users to malicious sites or steal session information. Security teams should also consider implementing content security policies and regular monitoring of user-generated content to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, maintaining comprehensive backup systems and implementing proper patch management procedures will ensure rapid recovery if exploitation occurs, while also providing visibility into the attack surface of WordPress installations.