CVE-2023-1546 in MyCryptoCheckout Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/02/2023
The MyCryptoCheckout WordPress plugin before 2.124 does not escape some URLs before outputting them in attributes, leading to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1546 affects the MyCryptoCheckout WordPress plugin version 2.123 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that exposes WordPress sites to reflected cross-site scripting attacks. This issue stems from insufficient output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, specifically when handling URL parameters that are subsequently rendered in HTML attributes. The vulnerability manifests when user-supplied input containing malicious script code is processed and reflected back in the plugin's output without proper sanitization, creating an avenue for attackers to inject harmful JavaScript code into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical flaw resides in the plugin's failure to implement proper HTML escaping or sanitization routines for URL parameters before these values are embedded into HTML attributes such as href, src, or other dynamic attributes. When a malicious actor crafts a URL containing script tags or other XSS payloads and directs users to access this crafted link through the vulnerable plugin, the malicious code gets executed in the context of the victim's browser session. This behavior aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities in web applications, and represents a classic reflected XSS scenario where the malicious payload is reflected off the web server and executed in the victim's browser.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web pages, and redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal administrator credentials, modify content, or even escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the attack requires user interaction through a malicious link, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or when the vulnerable plugin is widely used across multiple sites. This vulnerability can also be exploited as part of broader attack chains within the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks that could compromise entire WordPress installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1546 primarily involve updating the MyCryptoCheckout plugin to version 2.124 or later, which contains the necessary patches to properly escape URL parameters before outputting them in HTML attributes. System administrators should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation at multiple layers, implementing Content Security Policies to limit script execution, and monitoring for suspicious URL patterns in web server logs. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the vulnerable plugin across their WordPress installations and ensure that automatic updates are enabled where possible. The fix implemented in version 2.124 should be verified through security testing to confirm that all URL parameters are properly escaped and that no similar vulnerabilities exist within the plugin's codebase, as this represents a fundamental security issue that could be exploited to compromise the entire WordPress environment.