CVE-2023-1602 in Short URL Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/29/2023
The Short URL plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to stored Cross-Site Scripting via the 'comment' parameter due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in versions up to, and including, 1.6.4. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with administrator-level permissions and above, 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 • 07/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1602 affects the Short URL plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 1.6.4. This represents a critical security flaw that enables authenticated attackers with administrator-level permissions to execute stored cross-site scripting attacks. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's handling of the 'comment' parameter, creating a persistent XSS vector that can compromise user sessions and execute malicious code in the context of the victim's browser.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker with administrative privileges submits a malicious comment containing script code through the plugin's comment parameter. The plugin fails to properly sanitize this input before storing it in the database, and subsequently fails to escape the output when rendering the comment on web pages. This dual failure creates a stored XSS condition where the malicious script is permanently embedded in the application's data store and executed whenever any user accesses a page containing the compromised comment. The vulnerability specifically targets the comment functionality within the Short URL plugin, making it particularly dangerous as administrators often interact with comment sections during content management activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, and potentially escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious scripts that can perform actions such as cookie theft, session hijacking, or redirecting users to phishing sites. The persistence of the attack vector through stored XSS means that the malicious code remains active until manually removed from the database, allowing attackers to maintain access to compromised systems over extended periods. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where WordPress administrators may have elevated privileges and access to sensitive organizational data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1602 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the input sanitization and output escaping deficiencies. Organizations must ensure that all WordPress installations are running patched versions of the Short URL plugin, with particular attention to verifying that the update resolves the specific sanitization issues in the comment parameter handling. Network administrators should implement additional security measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts, as well as regular monitoring of comment sections for suspicious activity. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as it allows high-privilege attackers to exploit low-level input validation weaknesses. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and persistence through malicious code execution, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security monitoring and user access controls to prevent unauthorized administrators from exploiting such weaknesses.