CVE-2023-0165 in Cost Calculator Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/06/2023
The Cost Calculator 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 • 03/31/2023
The CVE-2023-0165 vulnerability resides within the Cost Calculator WordPress plugin version 1.8 and earlier, representing a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that undermines web application security. This vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's handling of shortcode attributes, where insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms leave the system susceptible to malicious code injection. The flaw enables attackers with contributor-level privileges and above to exploit the vulnerability by embedding malicious scripts within shortcode parameters, which then get executed whenever the affected page or post is rendered to other users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize and escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into the HTML output of web pages. When administrators or contributors embed the cost calculator shortcode with malicious attributes, the plugin processes these inputs without adequate security measures, allowing malicious JavaScript code to persist in the database. This stored payload then executes in the browsers of unsuspecting visitors who access pages containing the compromised shortcode, creating a persistent threat vector that can affect multiple users over time.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to WordPress site integrity and user safety, as it allows attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to phishing sites. The contributor role privilege level is particularly concerning because it represents a common user type within WordPress environments, often including content editors and team members who may not have full administrative access but still possess the ability to modify content. This makes the vulnerability exploitable in a wide range of scenarios where content contributors have access to the plugin's shortcode functionality.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, and specifically demonstrates the characteristics of stored XSS attacks where malicious code is permanently stored on the target server. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment and T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as attackers can leverage this flaw to deliver malicious JavaScript payloads and establish persistent access to user sessions. The impact extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges, steal sensitive information, or manipulate the plugin's functionality to serve their malicious objectives.
Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of the Cost Calculator plugin where this vulnerability has been patched, as the fix typically involves implementing proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms. Additional mitigation strategies include restricting contributor privileges to minimize the attack surface, implementing content security policies to limit script execution, and conducting regular security audits of all WordPress plugins and themes. Security monitoring should also be enhanced to detect unusual shortcode usage patterns and potential exploitation attempts, while user education regarding the risks of embedding untrusted content remains crucial for maintaining overall security posture.