CVE-2023-23972 in Smplug-in Social Like Box and Page Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/06/2023
Auth. (admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Smplug-in Social Like Box and Page by WpDevArt plugin <= 0.8.39 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2023-23972 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within the Smplug-in Social Like Box and Page plugin for WordPress, affecting versions up to and including 0.8.39. This issue resides in the administrative interface of the plugin where unauthenticated attackers with administrator privileges or higher can exploit the vulnerability to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's configuration settings. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, specifically in how it processes user-supplied data when rendering social media widget configurations. The flaw allows for persistent script execution across user sessions, making it particularly dangerous as the malicious code can affect all users who view the affected pages or admin interfaces.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker with administrative access modifies plugin settings or configuration parameters that are subsequently rendered without proper sanitization. The plugin fails to adequately filter or escape user input before storing it in the database and later outputting it to web browsers. This stored XSS vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically targeting the failure to sanitize user-controllable data. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it leverages the elevated privileges of administrative users, enabling attackers to maintain persistent access and execute malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser session. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which describes the use of malicious content in web applications to execute code 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 but not limited to session hijacking, credential theft, redirection to malicious sites, and data exfiltration. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that the malicious payload will execute every time affected pages are loaded, potentially affecting hundreds or thousands of users depending on the plugin's usage within the WordPress installation. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish backdoors, steal administrator credentials, modify plugin configurations, or even gain full control over the compromised WordPress site. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, only administrative access, which makes it a prime target for attackers seeking to maintain persistent access to WordPress installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-23972 should begin with immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as the vendor has likely released patches to resolve the input validation and output sanitization issues. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit administrative privileges, ensuring that only trusted individuals have the ability to modify plugin configurations. Security monitoring should include regular scanning for vulnerable plugin versions and implementation of web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script payloads. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining updated security practices including regular security audits, input validation testing, and comprehensive patch management procedures. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to reduce the impact of potential XSS attacks and establish monitoring protocols to detect unauthorized configuration changes to critical plugins.