CVE-2023-2812 in Ultimate Dashboard Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/19/2023
The Ultimate Dashboard WordPress plugin before 3.7.6 does not sanitise and escape some of its settings, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed (for example in multisite setup)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2812 affects the Ultimate Dashboard WordPress plugin version 3.7.5 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables stored cross-site scripting attacks through inadequate input sanitization. This issue specifically targets high-privilege users such as administrators who possess the capability to modify plugin settings, creating a significant risk in environments where the unfiltered_html capability is restricted. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize and escape user-controllable data within its administrative interfaces, allowing malicious scripts to be persistently stored and executed when other users interact with the affected dashboard components.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of plugin settings that are not adequately validated or escaped before being stored in the database. When administrators or other high-privilege users modify dashboard configurations, the plugin fails to implement proper input sanitization measures that would normally prevent malicious code injection. This creates a persistent XSS vector where attacker-controlled scripts can be stored within the plugin's settings and subsequently executed whenever legitimate users access the dashboard interface. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in multisite WordPress installations where the unfiltered_html capability is typically disabled as a security measure to prevent unauthorized code execution across multiple sites within the network.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-2812 extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or access sensitive administrative functions. In a multisite environment where security restrictions are intentionally enforced, this vulnerability undermines the security model by allowing privileged users to bypass the intended protection mechanisms. The stored nature of the XSS attack means that the malicious code persists even after the initial injection, creating a long-term threat that can affect all users who access the compromised dashboard functionality. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding.
Organizations utilizing the Ultimate Dashboard plugin must prioritize immediate remediation through the upgrade to version 3.7.6 or later, which includes proper sanitization and escaping mechanisms for user-controllable settings. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of all plugin configurations to identify any potentially compromised dashboard settings and implement additional monitoring for suspicious administrative activities. The mitigation strategy should also include reviewing and strengthening WordPress security practices, particularly in multisite environments where the unfiltered_html capability is restricted. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output escaping in web applications, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and ATT&CK framework categories related to command and control communications and privilege escalation techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security layers such as web application firewalls and regular security scanning to detect similar vulnerabilities in other components of their WordPress installations.