CVE-2023-0271 in WP Font Awesome
Summary
by MITRE • 02/21/2023
The WP Font Awesome WordPress plugin before 1.7.9 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attributes before outputting them back in a page/post where the shortcode is embedded, 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 • 03/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-0271 affects the WP Font Awesome WordPress plugin version 1.7.8 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables stored cross-site scripting attacks through improper input validation and output escaping mechanisms. This issue specifically targets the plugin's shortcode processing functionality where user-supplied attributes are not adequately sanitized before being rendered back to end users. The vulnerability exists in the plugin's handling of shortcode parameters, creating an attack surface that allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into web pages where the affected plugin is active.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the plugin's shortcode attribute processing system where contributor-level users and above can manipulate shortcode parameters to inject malicious JavaScript code. When these unsanitized attributes are rendered back into the HTML output of posts or pages, the injected scripts execute in the context of other users who view the affected content. This stored XSS vulnerability operates by leveraging the plugin's failure to properly escape output, allowing attackers to persist malicious code within the WordPress database through legitimate plugin functionality. The vulnerability manifests when users with contributor privileges or higher submit content containing malicious shortcode attributes that are then stored and executed when other users access the affected pages.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-0271 extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with persistent access to victim sessions and potentially full administrative control over affected WordPress installations. The vulnerability affects all users who can create or edit posts with the contributor role or higher, which typically includes authors, editors, and administrators who may not be aware of the security implications. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, inject malware, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious scripts remain active until manually removed, creating a persistent threat vector that can affect multiple users over extended periods. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and follows the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-0271 require immediate plugin updates to version 1.7.9 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and output escaping. Organizations should implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect and remove any malicious content that may have been injected prior to patching. Security measures should include restricting user privileges to prevent unauthorized shortcode manipulation, implementing content security policies to limit script execution, and conducting regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes. The fix implemented by the plugin developers involves strengthening input validation routines and ensuring all shortcode attributes are properly escaped before output rendering, addressing the core issue of insufficient sanitization. Additionally, organizations should maintain updated security frameworks that align with industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components of their web applications.