CVE-2023-0145 in Saan World Clock Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/20/2023
The Saan World Clock WordPress plugin through 1.8 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 • 03/30/2023
The CVE-2023-0145 vulnerability affects the Saan World Clock WordPress plugin version 1.8 and earlier, presenting a significant security risk through stored cross-site scripting exploitation. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of shortcode attributes, specifically failing to properly validate and escape user-supplied input before rendering it within web pages. The flaw is particularly concerning because it targets users with the contributor role and above, who typically have limited capabilities but can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious code through shortcode parameters, which then gets stored and executed whenever the affected page is viewed by other users, making it a persistent threat that can affect multiple victims over time.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input sanitization within the plugin's shortcode implementation. When users with contributor privileges or higher insert shortcodes containing malicious payloads, the plugin fails to apply adequate validation and escaping mechanisms to prevent script execution. This represents a classic stored XSS vulnerability pattern where user input is first stored in the application's database or storage mechanism and then later retrieved and rendered without proper sanitization. The vulnerability specifically impacts the plugin's shortcode processing functionality, which is a common and widely used feature in WordPress environments, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited across numerous WordPress installations.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-0145 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including credential theft, session hijacking, and data exfiltration. Since contributors and above can execute this attack, it provides threat actors with a foothold in WordPress environments where they might not otherwise have access to more privileged roles. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, malicious scripts can persist and affect all users who view the compromised pages, potentially leading to widespread compromise of user sessions and sensitive information. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Initial Access through Spearphishing Attachments, as attackers can use this vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads through compromised content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including updating to the latest version of the Saan World Clock plugin where the XSS flaw has been addressed. WordPress administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting user roles and capabilities, implementing content security policies, and monitoring for suspicious shortcode usage. Regular security audits of installed plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, and the principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit the impact of potential compromises. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts, and maintain up-to-date backups to ensure quick recovery from potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output escaping in web applications, particularly in content management systems where user-generated content is common.