CVE-2023-4253 in ChatBot Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/04/2023
The AI ChatBot WordPress plugin before 4.7.8 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 • 05/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4253 affects the AI ChatBot WordPress plugin version 4.7.7 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk through stored cross-site scripting flaws. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of user settings without proper sanitization and escaping mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject persistent malicious scripts into the WordPress environment. The flaw is particularly concerning because it allows users with administrative privileges to exploit this weakness even in restricted environments where the unfiltered_html capability has been disabled, such as in multisite configurations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the plugin's settings management system. When administrators configure the AI ChatBot plugin, certain user-controllable parameters are not properly sanitized before being stored in the database or rendered in subsequent page outputs. This failure in data sanitization creates an environment where malicious scripts can be injected and persistently stored within the WordPress installation. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a Cross-Site Scripting attack, specifically targeting the storage phase of the attack lifecycle where malicious code is permanently embedded in the application's data store.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform privilege escalation and maintain persistent access within the WordPress environment. In multisite setups where the unfiltered_html capability is deliberately restricted, administrators believe they have secured their environment against script injection attacks, yet this vulnerability demonstrates how insufficient sanitization in plugin components can circumvent these security measures. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute malicious scripts in the context of any user who views the affected pages, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the WordPress installation. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1548.002 for privilege escalation through the manipulation of application settings.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-4253 require immediate action to upgrade the AI ChatBot plugin to version 4.7.8 or later, which includes proper sanitization and escaping of user inputs. System administrators should also conduct thorough security audits of all installed plugins to identify similar sanitization issues that may exist in other third-party components. The remediation process should include implementing proper input validation at multiple layers, including client-side and server-side sanitization, and ensuring that all user-controllable parameters are properly escaped before storage or output. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to add additional defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing of WordPress environments can help identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.