CVE-2023-0146 in Naver Map Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/06/2023
The Naver Map WordPress plugin through 1.1.0 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 • 03/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-0146 affects the Naver Map WordPress plugin version 1.1.0 and earlier, presenting a significant security risk through stored cross-site scripting flaws. This issue specifically targets the plugin's handling of shortcode attributes, where insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms leave the system susceptible to malicious code injection. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects users with the contributor role and above, meaning that individuals who can create and edit posts have the capability to exploit this weakness. The attack vector involves embedding malicious scripts within shortcode attributes that are then stored in the WordPress database and subsequently executed when the page containing the shortcode is rendered to other users.
The technical flaw stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize and escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into HTML output contexts. When administrators or contributors embed the Naver Map shortcode with malicious attributes, the plugin processes these inputs without adequate security measures to prevent script execution. This represents a classic stored XSS vulnerability pattern where malicious code is initially stored in the application's database and then executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically covering situations where user-provided data is directly embedded into HTML without proper sanitization. The flaw also demonstrates characteristics of CWE-80 which addresses the improper neutralization of script-related HTML tags in a web page, making it particularly dangerous in a WordPress environment where multiple users interact with shared content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious websites. When a contributor or higher-privileged user creates a post containing malicious shortcode attributes, the stored XSS can affect all visitors who view that content, potentially compromising their browser sessions and exposing sensitive information. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat that remains active until the malicious code is removed from the database, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple contributors regularly update content. Attackers could leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, manipulate displayed content, or redirect users to phishing sites that could harvest login credentials and other sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 1.1.1 or later, which presumably includes proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms. WordPress administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting contributor capabilities to prevent them from embedding shortcodes with potentially dangerous attributes, implementing content security policies to limit script execution, and conducting regular security audits of installed plugins. The mitigation approach should align with ATT&CK framework's T1548.003 technique for bypassing user account controls, as this vulnerability essentially allows lower-privileged users to escalate their privileges through malicious content injection. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious shortcode attributes, and establish monitoring procedures to identify any unauthorized content modifications that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security training for content creators about the risks of embedding untrusted code and maintaining updated security practices for WordPress installations remains essential in preventing successful exploitation of such vulnerabilities.