CVE-2023-25031 in Arigato Newsletter Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/07/2023
Auth. (admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Kiboko Labs Arigato Autoresponder and Newsletter plugin <= 2.7.1 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2023
The CVE-2023-25031 vulnerability represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within the Kiboko Labs Arigato Autoresponder and Newsletter plugin, affecting versions up to and including 2.7.1. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's administrative interface where unfiltered user input is directly processed and stored without proper sanitization mechanisms. The issue specifically impacts users with administrator privileges or higher, making it particularly dangerous as it allows for privilege escalation and persistent malicious code execution within the target environment. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the plugin's backend processing logic, creating an attack surface where malicious scripts can be injected and subsequently executed whenever affected pages are loaded.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of administrative input fields within the plugin's user interface. Attackers with administrative access can inject malicious javascript payloads into form fields, email templates, or configuration settings that are then stored in the database. When other administrators or users access these modified pages, the stored scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further compromise of the WordPress environment. This stored XSS variant differs from reflected XSS as the malicious code is permanently embedded within the application's database rather than being transmitted through malicious links or requests. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that mandate input sanitization and output encoding.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-25031 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the compromised WordPress installation. Once exploited, attackers can manipulate email campaigns, modify subscriber data, access sensitive configuration information, and potentially escalate privileges to gain full control over the website. The vulnerability's persistence means that even if administrators attempt to remediate by modifying the affected fields, the stored malicious code continues to execute until the database is properly cleaned or the plugin is updated. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where multiple administrators may be affected, and the attack can remain undetected for extended periods. The compromise can lead to data exfiltration, reputation damage, and potential regulatory compliance violations depending on the nature of the data processed by the affected newsletter system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-25031 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of the Arigato Autoresponder and Newsletter plugin where the vulnerability has been patched, ensuring that all administrative users have proper access controls and that the principle of least privilege is enforced. Database cleanup procedures should be implemented to identify and remove any malicious code that may have been previously stored in affected fields. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual administrative activities or unauthorized modifications to email templates and campaign settings. Additionally, implementing content security policies, regular security audits, and input validation mechanisms can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other parts of the WordPress ecosystem. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security practices and the necessity of thorough code reviews, particularly for plugins that handle user input and administrative functions, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's approach to web application vulnerabilities and persistent threats within content management systems.