CVE-2023-0177 in Social Like Box and Page Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/13/2023
The Social Like Box and Page by WpDevArt WordPress plugin before 0.8.41 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 • 03/12/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-0177 affects the Social Like Box and Page by WpDevArt WordPress plugin, specifically versions prior to 0.8.41. This issue represents a classic stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode implementation. The flaw allows attackers with contributor-level privileges or higher to inject malicious scripts that persist in the WordPress database and execute whenever the affected content is rendered.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the plugin's failure to properly sanitize shortcode attributes before incorporating them into HTML output. When administrators or contributors embed the plugin's shortcode within posts or pages, the plugin processes user-supplied parameters without adequate validation or escaping. This creates a persistent XSS vector where malicious scripts can be stored in the database and executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically impacts the plugin's shortcode handling mechanism, which is designed to display social media like boxes and page content.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress installations using the affected plugin version. Attackers with contributor access can craft malicious shortcodes containing JavaScript payloads that execute when other users view the affected pages. These scripts can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, defacing content, or executing additional attacks through the victim's browser context. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code persists even after the initial injection, making it particularly dangerous for long-term compromise.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and follows patterns commonly associated with the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through social engineering. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive data, or use the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. Organizations relying on this plugin should immediately assess their current plugin versions and implement appropriate mitigations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-0177 include immediate upgrading to plugin version 0.8.41 or later, which contains the necessary security patches. Additionally, administrators should review existing content for potential malicious injections and implement proper input validation at multiple levels. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual shortcode usage patterns, and role-based access controls should be carefully reviewed to limit contributor privileges where possible. The WordPress security community recommends implementing a defense-in-depth approach that includes regular plugin audits, automated vulnerability scanning, and maintaining up-to-date security practices across all WordPress installations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future.