CVE-2023-24409 in WP Responsive Tabs Horizontal Vertical and Accordion Tabs Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/08/2023
Unauth. Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in I Thirteen Web Solution WP Responsive Tabs horizontal vertical and accordion Tabs plugin <= 1.1.15 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2023
This vulnerability represents a critical unauthenticated reflected cross-site scripting flaw within the WP Responsive Tabs plugin developed by I Thirteen Web Solution. The issue affects versions up to and including 1.1.15, where the plugin fails to properly sanitize user input parameters before reflecting them back to users in web responses. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the plugin processes tab-related parameters without adequate validation or output encoding, creating an attack vector for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web pages viewed by unsuspecting users.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and CWE-116, concerning improper encoding or escaping of output. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that an attacker must craft a malicious URL containing crafted script payloads that are then reflected back to users who click on the link. This typically involves manipulating parameters such as tab identifiers, content parameters, or configuration values that the plugin uses to generate dynamic content. The vulnerability occurs because the plugin does not implement proper input sanitization or output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious scripts from executing in the context of the victim's browser.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of any user's browser who visits a maliciously crafted URL. This could enable session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web pages, or redirection to malicious sites. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to impersonate legitimate users, access sensitive functionality, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The unauthenticated nature means that any visitor to a website using the vulnerable plugin could be targeted, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability for public-facing websites that rely on the plugin for tab functionality.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the plugin to version 1.1.16 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. System administrators should also implement additional protective measures such as input validation at the web application firewall level, output encoding for all dynamic content, and regular security scanning of WordPress installations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper security practices in plugin development, particularly around input validation and output sanitization. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their WordPress installations to identify other potentially affected plugins and ensure all third-party components are kept up to date with the latest security patches. This vulnerability also highlights the need for implementing security monitoring and incident response procedures to quickly detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts.