CVE-2023-35883 in Core Web Vitals & PageSpeed Booster Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/19/2023
URL Redirection to Untrusted Site ('Open Redirect') vulnerability in Magazine3 Core Web Vitals & PageSpeed Booster.This issue affects Core Web Vitals & PageSpeed Booster: from n/a through 1.0.12.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2024
The CVE-2023-35883 vulnerability represents a critical open redirect flaw within the Magazine3 Core Web Vitals & PageSpeed Booster plugin, which is designed to enhance website performance metrics and user experience. This particular vulnerability allows malicious actors to exploit the plugin's URL redirection functionality, potentially enabling them to redirect users to untrusted third-party websites without proper validation. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions ranging from n/a through 1.0.12, indicating that all iterations within this range are susceptible to exploitation. The open redirect vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and validation mechanisms within the plugin's core functionality, which fails to properly verify the destination URLs before initiating redirects.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin processes user-supplied URLs for redirection purposes without sufficient validation checks. This flaw creates an environment where attackers can craft malicious URLs containing crafted redirect parameters that bypass normal security controls. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-601 category, specifically CWE-601 Open Redirect, which is classified as a medium severity issue within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. This weakness allows attackers to redirect users to malicious websites, potentially enabling phishing attacks, malware distribution, or other social engineering exploits. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566 - Phishing, as it provides a method for attackers to manipulate user navigation to malicious destinations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple redirection, as it creates potential entry points for more sophisticated attacks. When users encounter links that appear legitimate but redirect to malicious sites, they may unknowingly provide sensitive information or download harmful software. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where users trust the originating website, as the redirect may appear legitimate to end users. Attackers can leverage this flaw to construct convincing phishing campaigns by redirecting users through seemingly trusted domains before ultimately directing them to malicious sites. The affected plugin's role in optimizing web performance makes it an attractive target for attackers, as it is likely to be present on numerous websites and may be less scrutinized than core CMS components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and URL sanitization measures within the plugin's redirection functionality. Developers should ensure that all redirect URLs are properly validated against a whitelist of trusted domains or that appropriate security headers are implemented to prevent unauthorized redirects. The fix should include comprehensive testing of all redirect parameters to ensure that only legitimate URLs are processed, with proper encoding and validation of user inputs. Additionally, implementing proper logging mechanisms can help detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. Security best practices recommend that all web applications implement strict validation of redirect destinations and that developers follow OWASP guidelines for preventing open redirect vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and updates should be conducted to ensure that similar issues do not arise in future versions of the plugin, while also maintaining awareness of emerging threats in the web application security landscape.