CVE-2023-23707 in Awsm Innovations Embed Any Document Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/23/2023
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting'), Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerability in Awsm Innovations Embed Any Document – Embed PDF, Word, PowerPoint and Excel Files allows Stored XSS via upload of SVG and HTML files. This issue affects Embed Any Document – Embed PDF, Word, PowerPoint and Excel Files plugin <= 2.7.1 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2023-23707 represents a critical security flaw in the Embed Any Document plugin for WordPress systems, specifically affecting versions up to and including 2.7.1. This issue combines two distinct but related security weaknesses that together create a severe attack surface for malicious actors targeting WordPress installations. The vulnerability manifests through improper input neutralization during web page generation, creating conditions where cross-site scripting attacks can be executed through stored data modifications. The plugin's failure to adequately validate and sanitize file uploads creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious content that persists on the server and affects all users interacting with the compromised website.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's file upload handling processes. When users upload files through the plugin interface, the system fails to properly verify the file types and content, particularly allowing SVG and HTML files to be uploaded without sufficient security checks. This unrestricted file upload capability directly enables attackers to upload malicious files that contain embedded scripts or malicious code. The SVG file type is particularly dangerous because it allows for embedded javascript execution within the browser context, while HTML files can contain malicious script tags that execute when the content is rendered on web pages. The combination of these file types creates a perfect storm for persistent cross-site scripting attacks where malicious code can be stored on the server and executed whenever users access pages containing the embedded content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple script injection, creating significant risks for organizations relying on WordPress platforms for their digital presence. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on victim machines, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the installation of backdoors. The stored nature of the XSS vulnerability means that once an attacker successfully uploads malicious content, the attack persists indefinitely until the vulnerability is patched or the malicious files are removed from the system. This persistent threat makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for websites that handle sensitive information or have numerous visitors who might be exposed to the malicious content. The attack surface is further expanded because the vulnerability affects the core functionality of document embedding, meaning that any website using this plugin for content management becomes a potential target.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of established frameworks such as CWE-79 for cross-site scripting and CWE-434 for unrestricted file uploads, both of which are fundamental weaknesses in web application security design. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for malicious file execution, highlighting the attack vectors available to threat actors. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including immediate patching of the plugin to versions that address these security flaws, implementing strict file type validation and content inspection mechanisms, and deploying web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious file upload activities. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough security audits of their WordPress installations to identify any other plugins or themes that might be vulnerable to similar attacks, as this type of vulnerability often indicates broader security gaps in the application architecture. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of principle of least privilege in file upload systems, where upload capabilities should be restricted to authenticated users with appropriate permissions and should include comprehensive content scanning and validation processes to prevent malicious files from being stored on the server.