CVE-2023-2964 in Simple Iframe Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/10/2023
The Simple Iframe WordPress plugin before 1.2.0 does not properly validate one of its WordPress block attribute's content, which may allow users whose role is at least that of a contributor to conduct Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2023
The Simple Iframe WordPress plugin vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress content management systems. This issue affects versions prior to 1.2.0 and specifically targets the plugin's handling of WordPress block attributes. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to inject persistent malicious scripts into the WordPress environment. The flaw is particularly concerning because it affects users with contributor-level privileges, which are typically considered less privileged roles within WordPress access control hierarchies.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the plugin's failure to properly sanitize or validate content within its WordPress block attributes. When contributors create or modify content using the Simple Iframe plugin, the system does not adequately filter or escape user-provided input before storing it in the database. This stored content can then be executed in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected pages, creating a classic stored cross-site scripting scenario. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of web application security principles and content management system architecture, where plugin developers must ensure proper input validation and output encoding to prevent malicious code injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities through compromised contributor accounts. Once an attacker gains contributor-level access, they can inject scripts that may steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation attempts. The stored nature of the XSS vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists in the system and affects all users who view the compromised content, making it particularly dangerous in collaborative environments where multiple contributors work on shared websites. This vulnerability also aligns with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of "Cross-Site Scripting" and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege enforcement.
From a security standards perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. The issue demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate output encoding, both of which are fundamental requirements in secure software development. The vulnerability also reflects concerns around WordPress plugin security standards and the importance of proper sanitization routines in content management systems. Organizations using the Simple Iframe plugin should immediately implement patch management procedures to upgrade to version 1.2.0 or later, which contains the necessary validation fixes. Additionally, administrators should review contributor user permissions and implement additional monitoring for unusual content modifications, as this vulnerability could serve as an initial foothold for more extensive attacks within WordPress environments. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated plugin functionality to ensure that legitimate features remain operational while the security vulnerability is properly addressed.