CVE-2023-25963 in JS Job Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/16/2023
Auth. (admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in JoomSky JS Job Manager plugin <= 2.0.0 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2023
The CVE-2023-25963 vulnerability represents a critical authentication bypass issue within the JoomSky JS Job Manager plugin affecting versions 2.0.0 and earlier. This stored cross-site scripting flaw exists in the administrative interface of the plugin, where unauthenticated or low-privilege users can potentially execute malicious scripts against authenticated administrators. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the plugin's backend processing functions, specifically in how user-supplied data is handled during form submissions and data storage operations. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code into the plugin's database storage, which then executes whenever administrators view affected pages, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise entire administrative sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user inputs before storing them in the database and subsequently rendering them in administrative interfaces. When administrators access pages containing stored malicious payloads, the XSS executes in their browser context, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions, or redirect victims to malicious domains. This stored XSS vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which classifies it as a classic cross-site scripting weakness where the vulnerability occurs in the storage phase rather than during immediate user input processing. The attack chain typically involves an attacker submitting malicious content through plugin forms or administrative interfaces, which gets stored in the database, and then executed when administrators interact with the compromised data.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-25963 extends beyond simple script execution as it can lead to complete administrative account compromise and potential lateral movement within affected systems. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can escalate privileges, modify plugin configurations, access sensitive job listings, and potentially gain access to other system components that rely on the same administrative infrastructure. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter while also supporting privilege escalation tactics through session hijacking. The persistence aspect of stored XSS makes this particularly dangerous as the malicious scripts remain active until manually removed from the database, providing attackers with extended access windows. Organizations running vulnerable versions face significant risk of data breaches, unauthorized modifications, and potential complete system compromise through this single point of entry.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-25963 require immediate action including updating to the latest plugin version where the vulnerability has been patched, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, and establishing regular security audits of third-party components. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities, conduct regular penetration testing of administrative interfaces, and establish monitoring for unusual administrative activities. The patching process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that security updates do not introduce regressions in plugin functionality, while also verifying that all user inputs are properly sanitized before database storage. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit administrative interface exposure, and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads before they can be stored in the database. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other third-party components and ensure that all administrative interfaces follow secure coding practices aligned with OWASP Top Ten security recommendations.