CVE-2023-0079 in Customer Reviews Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/16/2024
The Customer Reviews for WooCommerce WordPress plugin before 5.17.0 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 • 06/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-0079 affects the Customer Reviews for WooCommerce WordPress plugin, specifically versions prior to 5.17.0, presenting a critical stored cross-site scripting risk that can be exploited by users with contributor privileges and above. This security flaw resides in the plugin's handling of shortcode attributes, where insufficient validation and escaping mechanisms allow malicious input to persist and execute within affected web pages. The vulnerability represents a classic stored XSS attack vector that leverages the plugin's shortcode functionality to inject malicious scripts into WordPress posts and pages where the shortcode is embedded.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization within the plugin's shortcode processing logic. When administrators or contributors embed review shortcodes containing user-supplied data, the plugin fails to properly escape or validate attributes before rendering them back to the browser. This oversight creates an environment where malicious actors can inject JavaScript code through carefully crafted shortcode parameters, which then executes whenever the affected page is viewed by other users. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's attribute handling mechanisms, where data flows from user input directly to output without proper sanitization, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. Contributors and above roles typically have sufficient privileges to modify content, making this vector particularly concerning for WordPress installations where multiple users have editing capabilities. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to inject malicious code that targets other users with higher privileges, potentially escalating their access within the WordPress environment. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once the malicious payload is injected, it persists until manually removed, creating a long-term threat to all users who view the affected content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate plugin updates to version 5.17.0 or later, which addresses the insufficient validation and escaping issues. System administrators should also implement additional protective measures including role-based access controls, content filtering, and regular security audits of installed plugins. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious content injection. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their WordPress installations and implement proper input validation mechanisms to prevent similar issues in other plugins or custom code. Regular monitoring of plugin updates and maintaining an inventory of all installed WordPress components remains essential for preventing exploitation of such vulnerabilities.