CVE-2023-24372 in USB Memory Direct Simple Custom Author Profiles Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/09/2023
Auth. (admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in USB Memory Direct Simple Custom Author Profiles plugin <= 1.0.0 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2023
This vulnerability exists within the USB Memory Direct Simple Custom Author Profiles WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions 1.0.0 and earlier. The issue represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw that requires administrative privileges or higher to exploit, making it particularly concerning for WordPress environments where admin accounts are frequently targeted by attackers. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's handling of user profile data, allowing malicious actors with administrator-level access to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database.
The technical flaw manifests when administrators modify author profile information through the plugin's interface, as the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before storing it in the database. When other users view these profiles, the stored malicious scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code remains persistent until manually removed from the database, making it particularly dangerous for long-term compromise of affected systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and represents a classic example of how administrative privileges can be weaponized to create persistent threats within web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a foothold for further exploitation within the WordPress environment. Once an attacker successfully injects malicious code through the stored XSS vector, they can potentially escalate privileges, access sensitive administrative functions, or use the compromised admin session to manipulate other plugin features. The vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor that can be leveraged for ongoing surveillance or data exfiltration, particularly when combined with other attack vectors or when the compromised admin account has broad permissions across the WordPress installation. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors who seek long-term access to compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as well as comprehensive input validation and output sanitization measures. Administrators should implement strict access controls and regularly audit plugin installations to ensure only trusted and updated plugins are active. The use of web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or custom code within the WordPress environment. Organizations should also maintain robust backup and recovery procedures to quickly restore systems in case of successful exploitation, and implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous administrative activities that might indicate compromise. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping all WordPress plugins updated and the potential for administrative privileges to be weaponized in sophisticated attack campaigns.