CVE-2023-41797 in Locations Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Auth. (contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Gold Plugins Locations plugin <= 4.0 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2023
The CVE-2023-41797 vulnerability represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within the Gold Plugins Locations plugin for WordPress, affecting versions 4.0 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets users with contributor level permissions or higher, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where content creators and editors may have elevated privileges. The issue stems from inadequate 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 technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a contributor or higher-privileged user submits content containing malicious javascript code through the plugin's interface. This script gets stored in the database and subsequently executed whenever other users view the affected content, creating a persistent XSS attack vector. The vulnerability is classified as a stored XSS due to the script being permanently saved and executed in the victim's browser context, unlike reflected XSS where the payload must be submitted with each request. This flaw falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious content.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-41797 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to steal user sessions, deface websites, redirect visitors to malicious domains, or harvest sensitive information from authenticated users. In environments where the plugin manages location data for business operations, this vulnerability could compromise sensitive business information and potentially lead to further privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability's severity is heightened by the fact that it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it accessible to users who should normally have restricted capabilities within the content management system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-41797 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions 4.1 or later where the vulnerability has been patched. System administrators must implement strict input validation measures and sanitize all user-submitted content before storage, particularly for plugins that handle location-based data. Additionally, implementing content security policies and monitoring user activities for suspicious submissions can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing role-based access controls to limit the capabilities of users with contributor privileges, ensuring that only trusted administrators have access to critical plugin functions. Regular security audits of installed plugins and maintaining updated security frameworks will help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into the system architecture.