CVE-2023-36678 in WP-Buy WP Content Copy Protection & No Right Click Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/06/2023
Auth. (admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in WP-buy WP Content Copy Protection & No Right Click plugin <= 3.5.5 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2023
The CVE-2023-36678 vulnerability represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within the WP-buy WP Content Copy Protection & No Right Click WordPress plugin, affecting versions up to and including 3.5.5. This vulnerability specifically targets administrative users with privileges equal to or greater than administrator level, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is compromised. The issue arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, allowing authenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's data storage layer. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and it maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation through web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when administrative users interact with the plugin's configuration or content management interfaces where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being stored in the database. When legitimate users subsequently access pages that display this stored malicious content, the injected scripts execute within their browser context, potentially enabling attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions, or redirect users to malicious websites. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists in the database and affects all users who view the affected content, unlike reflected XSS where the payload must be delivered through a separate request. This characteristic significantly amplifies the attack surface and potential damage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, conduct session hijacking, or establish persistent access to compromised WordPress installations. Administrative users who are tricked into viewing malicious content may unknowingly provide attackers with full control over the affected website, including access to sensitive data, user management capabilities, and the ability to modify or delete content. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where WordPress installations serve as content management platforms for critical business operations, as it can lead to data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to maintain long-term access to compromised systems, making it a preferred target for advanced persistent threats.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-36678 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the stored XSS vulnerability, as the vendor has likely released patches to resolve the issue. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their WordPress installations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other plugins or custom code. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect suspicious script execution patterns and anomalous user behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning of WordPress installations should include checks for outdated plugins and themes that may contain known vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing strict access controls and multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts reduces the risk of unauthorized access to privileged functions that could be exploited to deliver malicious payloads. Security teams should also consider implementing content security policies and web application firewalls to provide additional layers of protection against XSS attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the necessity of regular security audits to identify and remediate potential attack vectors in web applications.