CVE-2023-1869 in YourChannel Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/05/2023
The YourChannel plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via admin settings in versions up to, and including, 1.2.5 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with administrative-level permissions and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page. This only affects multi-site installations and installations where unfiltered_html has been disabled.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1869 resides within the YourChannel plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions up to and including 1.2.5. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress multi-site installations where administrative privileges can be leveraged to execute malicious code. The issue manifests as a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that exploits inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's administrative settings interface. The vulnerability's exploitation requires an authenticated attacker with administrative-level permissions or higher, making it particularly concerning for environments where privileged accounts are compromised or where insufficient privilege separation exists. The flaw specifically targets the plugin's handling of user input within administrative contexts, creating a persistent vector for code injection that remains active until the affected plugin is updated or removed.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of administrative settings where user input is not properly sanitized before being stored and subsequently rendered in web pages. This failure in input validation creates a condition where malicious scripts can be permanently embedded within the plugin's configuration data, allowing them to execute whenever any user accesses pages containing the injected content. The vulnerability's scope is limited to multi-site WordPress installations and environments where the unfiltered_html capability has been disabled, which represents a specific subset of WordPress deployments. This constraint means that the vulnerability may not affect all WordPress installations equally, but it does highlight the importance of proper input validation across all plugin components, regardless of installation type. The flaw aligns with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically manifesting as a stored XSS vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential data breaches, privilege escalation, and system compromise within affected environments. When an attacker successfully injects malicious scripts through the administrative interface, they can potentially access sensitive administrative functions, steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even establish persistent backdoors within the WordPress installation. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the injected code remains active indefinitely until the plugin is updated or the affected settings are manually corrected, creating a long-term security risk. Multi-site installations are particularly vulnerable because a single compromised administrative account can potentially affect all sites within the network, amplifying the attack surface and potential damage. This vulnerability also demonstrates the critical importance of proper privilege management and the principle of least privilege, as unauthorized access to administrative functions can lead to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1869 must focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the input sanitization and output escaping deficiencies. Administrators should also implement strict monitoring of administrative settings changes and user account activities within multi-site installations. The vulnerability's requirement for administrative privileges means that robust access control measures, including multi-factor authentication for privileged accounts, should be enforced. Network segmentation and proper firewall rules can help limit the lateral movement potential if an attacker does gain administrative access. Additionally, implementing content security policies and regular security audits of WordPress plugins can help identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely updates of all WordPress components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1548.003 for abuse of admin privileges and T1106 for execution through command and script interpreters, highlighting the need for comprehensive endpoint protection and monitoring of administrative activities. Regular security assessments of WordPress installations, particularly focusing on plugin security, should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the broader WordPress ecosystem.