CVE-2023-4315 in Woo Custom Emails Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/31/2023
The Woo Custom Emails for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the 'wcemails_edit' parameter in versions up to, and including, 2.2 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link. CVE-2023-45004 appears to be a duplicate of this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4315 affects the Woo Custom Emails for WordPress plugin, specifically targeting versions up to and including 2.2. This issue represents a classic reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability that exploits improper input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. The vulnerability manifests through the 'wcemails_edit' parameter, which fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into web page responses. This flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code that executes in the context of a victim's browser when they interact with a specially crafted link or page.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate security controls in the plugin's handling of HTTP request parameters. When the 'wcemails_edit' parameter is processed, the system does not perform sufficient sanitization or escaping of potentially malicious input before rendering it in the web response. This creates an environment where attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that get executed when users navigate to affected pages. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a reflected cross-site scripting flaw, which occurs when user input is immediately reflected back in the application's response without proper validation or encoding. The absence of proper output escaping mechanisms means that any HTML or script content submitted through this parameter can be interpreted as executable code by web browsers, creating a significant security risk for WordPress installations using this plugin.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities through the compromised user sessions. Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of authenticated users, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability's exploitation requires social engineering to trick users into clicking on malicious links, but once executed, it can compromise user sessions and potentially escalate to more serious attacks. The reflected nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious payload is not stored on the server, making detection more challenging for administrators and security teams. This characteristic also means that the attack vector is typically delivered through phishing emails, malicious advertisements, or compromised links that users might encounter while browsing the web.
The security implications of CVE-2023-4315 align with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for phishing attacks and T1584.002 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. Organizations using affected versions of the Woo Custom Emails plugin face significant risks as this vulnerability can be leveraged to establish persistent access to WordPress installations. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that WordPress remains one of the most widely used content management systems, making it a prime target for cybercriminals. The vulnerability's classification as a reflected XSS issue means that defenders must implement proper input validation and output encoding at multiple layers to prevent exploitation. Security teams should consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers as a mitigating control to reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities, though this represents a secondary defense mechanism rather than a primary fix.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 2.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Administrators should also implement proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms throughout their WordPress installations, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense, though these should not be relied upon as the sole mitigation strategy. Regular security audits of installed plugins and themes are essential to identify other potential vulnerabilities, as this issue demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in web applications. The duplicate CVE-2023-45004 confirms the severity and persistence of this vulnerability class, indicating that similar issues may exist in other components of the plugin ecosystem that require attention. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to help prevent successful social engineering attacks that exploit these types of vulnerabilities, as the human factor remains a critical component in defending against XSS attacks.