CVE-2023-25974 in wp2syslog Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/16/2023
Auth. (admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in psicosi448 wp2syslog plugin <= 1.0.5 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2023-25974 represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw within the psicosi448 wp2syslog WordPress plugin affecting versions 1.0.5 and earlier. This issue specifically targets administrative users with privileges equal to or greater than administrator level, making it particularly concerning for WordPress environments where administrative access is tightly controlled. The vulnerability resides in how the plugin processes and stores user input, creating a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited through the plugin's administrative interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping within the wp2syslog plugin's codebase. When administrative users interact with the plugin's settings or data entry points, malicious script code can be submitted and subsequently stored within the plugin's database or configuration files. This stored payload executes whenever other administrative users access the affected plugin interface, creating a persistent threat that can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, or further privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with elevated privileges to manipulate the WordPress administrative interface. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially modify plugin configurations, access sensitive system information, or establish persistent backdoors within the WordPress installation. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload remains active even after the initial exploit, allowing for prolonged access and potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation to the highest administrative levels. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability of WordPress systems and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1548.001 for privilege escalation through the exploitation of administrative interfaces.
Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of the wp2syslog plugin where this vulnerability has been patched, as version 1.0.5 and earlier contain the exploitable code. System administrators should also implement monitoring for suspicious administrative activities and review plugin access logs for potential exploitation attempts. Additional mitigations include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block XSS payloads, conducting regular security audits of installed plugins, and ensuring that administrative users follow the principle of least privilege. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping WordPress plugins updated and the necessity of thorough security testing for all administrative interfaces within content management systems.