CVE-2023-1404 in Weaver Show Posts Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/09/2023
The Weaver Show Posts Plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to stored Cross-Site Scripting due to insufficient escaping of the profile display name in versions up to, and including, 1.6. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers with contributor-level and above permissions to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2023
The Weaver Show Posts Plugin for WordPress presents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1404, affecting versions through 1.6. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of profile display names within the user interface, creating a persistent security flaw that can be exploited by authenticated attackers. The issue stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms that fail to properly neutralize malicious script content when user-generated profile information is displayed in web pages. Attackers with contributor-level privileges or higher can leverage this weakness to inject malicious JavaScript code that persists in the plugin's display functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal privileges to exploit.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of profile display names within the WordPress admin interface, where the plugin fails to adequately escape or filter user input before rendering it in HTML contexts. When an authenticated user with sufficient permissions accesses pages containing the vulnerable profile information, the stored script executes in the context of the victim's browser session. This stored XSS vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-79 as improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically manifesting as a failure to properly escape dynamic content in web applications. The vulnerability's persistence stems from the fact that malicious scripts are stored in the database rather than being injected through a single request, making it particularly insidious and difficult to detect.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-1404 extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges, steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, and access sensitive data within the WordPress environment. An attacker could craft malicious profile names containing JavaScript payloads that would execute whenever any user views the affected pages, potentially compromising user sessions and enabling further attacks within the WordPress ecosystem. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through social engineering, as attackers could manipulate user profiles to execute malicious scripts that harvest authentication tokens or perform unauthorized administrative actions. The attack vector requires minimal user interaction beyond normal browsing behavior, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users regularly interact with profile information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1404 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the escaping deficiency, as this represents the most direct solution to the vulnerability. Organizations should also implement strict input validation and output escaping measures for all user-generated content, particularly within WordPress plugins that handle profile or display information. Network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious script injections can help detect exploitation attempts, while role-based access controls should be reviewed to minimize the potential impact of compromised accounts. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of WordPress plugins and maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to identify similar vulnerabilities in the WordPress ecosystem. Additionally, implementing content security policies and regular security audits of user-facing interfaces can help prevent similar issues in other components of the web application stack.