CVE-2023-4476 in Locatoraid Store Locator Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/25/2023
The Locatoraid Store Locator WordPress plugin before 3.9.24 does not sanitise and escape the lpr-search parameter before outputting it back in the page, leading to a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting which could be used against high privilege users such as admin.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2023
The CVE-2023-4476 vulnerability affects the Locatoraid Store Locator WordPress plugin version 3.9.24 and earlier, representing a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw that poses significant security risks to WordPress installations. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's handling of the lpr-search parameter, creating an exploitable vector that can compromise user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the affected WordPress environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin processes the lpr-search parameter without proper sanitization before incorporating it into the HTML output of the page. This failure to escape user-supplied input creates a scenario where malicious actors can inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the web page response. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload must be crafted specifically for each victim and delivered through a specially crafted URL, typically via phishing attacks or social engineering tactics that direct users to exploit the vulnerable parameter. When an unsuspecting user clicks on such a malicious link, the JavaScript code executes within the context of their browser session, potentially stealing cookies, session tokens, or performing unauthorized actions on their behalf.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is particularly concerning given its potential to target high-privilege users such as administrators. When an administrator clicks on a malicious link containing the reflected XSS payload, the attacker gains the ability to execute code with the administrator's privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This could result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of content, creation of new administrator accounts, or even complete defacement of the WordPress site. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that administrators often maintain elevated privileges and may have access to sensitive system information that could be exploited for further attacks within the network.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the CWE-79 category, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The ATT&CK framework's T1566 technique for "Phishing" and T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" are particularly relevant to the exploitation patterns of this vulnerability. Organizations should immediately update to version 3.9.24 or later of the Locatoraid Store Locator plugin to remediate this vulnerability, as the plugin developers have released patches addressing the sanitization and escaping issues. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at the application level, using Content Security Policy headers, and conducting regular security audits of WordPress plugins can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future. Network monitoring should also be enhanced to detect suspicious traffic patterns that may indicate attempts to exploit this or similar reflected XSS vulnerabilities across the organization's web applications.