CVE-2023-0170 in Html5 Audio Player Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/06/2023
The Html5 Audio Player WordPress plugin before 2.1.12 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 • 03/25/2025
The Html5 Audio Player WordPress plugin vulnerability CVE-2023-0170 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that affects versions prior to 2.1.12. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of shortcode attributes, specifically failing to properly validate and escape user input before rendering it back to the page where the shortcode is embedded. The issue is particularly concerning because it allows users with the contributor role and above to execute malicious scripts, making it accessible to a relatively low-privilege user account within WordPress systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization mechanisms that should have been implemented to prevent malicious code injection into the plugin's output rendering process.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when the plugin processes shortcode attributes without adequate sanitization procedures. When administrators or contributors embed audio player shortcodes with malicious input, the plugin fails to properly escape these attributes before outputting them to the web page. This creates an environment where attacker-controlled data can be executed as JavaScript within the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability operates as a stored XSS because the malicious payload is permanently stored within the plugin's shortcode parameters and executed every time the affected page is loaded. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as cross-site scripting.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress environment. Attackers could potentially steal user sessions, modify content, redirect users to malicious sites, or even escalate privileges within the compromised WordPress installation. The contributor role access level makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to exploit systems where contributors have legitimate access to content creation and modification features. This creates a scenario where malicious actors could compromise WordPress installations through legitimate user accounts that should normally have limited privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise or data exfiltration.
Organizations should immediately update to version 2.1.12 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as the plugin developers have addressed the input validation and output escaping mechanisms. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring for any suspicious shortcode usage within the WordPress installation and implementing additional security measures such as content security policies to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Security professionals should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security audits to detect similar vulnerabilities in other WordPress plugins. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566, which describes the technique of "Phishing with Malicious Attachments" or "Spearphishing via Service" where attackers exploit web application vulnerabilities to establish persistent access. Additionally, organizations should review their plugin management practices to ensure timely updates and implement automated monitoring for known vulnerabilities in their WordPress installations.