CVE-2023-1660 in AI ChatBot Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/08/2023
The AI ChatBot WordPress plugin before 4.4.9 does not have authorisation and CSRF in a function hooked to init, allowing unauthenticated users to update some settings, leading to Stored XSS due to the lack of escaping when outputting them in the admin dashboard
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1660 affects the AI ChatBot WordPress plugin version 4.4.8 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress admin environments. This issue stems from insufficient access controls and cross-site request forgery protections within a function that executes during the WordPress initialization process. The flaw allows any unauthenticated user to manipulate administrative settings through a specifically designed endpoint, bypassing the standard authentication mechanisms that should protect sensitive configuration options.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's improper handling of user input during the WordPress init hook execution. When the vulnerable function processes requests without verifying user authorization or implementing CSRF tokens, it creates an attack surface where malicious actors can submit crafted requests to modify plugin settings. The root cause aligns with CWE-863, which addresses "Incorrect Authorization" issues where the system fails to properly verify that an actor is authorized to perform a requested action. The absence of proper input validation and sanitization in this context allows attackers to inject malicious code into configurable fields that are later rendered in the admin dashboard without appropriate escaping mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it creates a persistent stored cross-site scripting vector that can affect all users who access the compromised admin interface. When administrators view the plugin settings or related dashboard elements, the maliciously injected JavaScript code executes within their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further compromise of the WordPress installation. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists even after the initial attack vector is closed, creating a long-term threat that can affect multiple users over time.
This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts," as it allows unauthenticated attackers to effectively gain administrative capabilities through the manipulation of plugin settings. The lack of CSRF protection specifically addresses ATT&CK technique T1213.002, "Data from Information Repositories: Web Application Firewall," by exposing the plugin's administrative functions to unauthorized manipulation through crafted requests. Organizations using affected versions of the AI ChatBot plugin face significant risk of persistent compromise, as the vulnerability enables attackers to establish footholds that can be leveraged for extended access to WordPress administrative environments.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrade to version 4.4.9 or later, which implements proper authorization checks and CSRF protection mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough security audits of their WordPress installations to identify any other plugins or themes that may exhibit similar authorization flaws. Network segmentation and monitoring of unusual administrative activity can provide early detection of exploitation attempts, while regular security scanning of web applications helps identify similar vulnerabilities across the entire infrastructure. The fix implemented in version 4.4.9 should include proper user authentication verification, CSRF token validation, and output escaping for all user-controllable settings to prevent the stored XSS conditions that made this vulnerability exploitable.