CVE-2023-44985 in BuddyMeet Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Auth. (contributo+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Cytech BuddyMeet plugin <= 2.2.0 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2023
The CVE-2023-44985 vulnerability represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within the Cytech BuddyMeet WordPress plugin affecting versions 2.2.0 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the authentication mechanism of the plugin, allowing authenticated users with contributor+ privileges to inject malicious scripts into the application's data storage. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization processes within the plugin's core functionality, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by attackers who have gained access to accounts with contributor level permissions or higher. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear failure in the principle of least privilege and proper data sanitization practices that are fundamental to web application security.
The technical implementation of this stored XSS vulnerability occurs when authenticated users submit malicious payloads through input fields that are subsequently stored in the database and later rendered without proper HTML escaping or sanitization. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of other users' browsers who view the affected content. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-79: Cross-Site Scripting attack pattern, specifically manifesting as a stored XSS variant where the malicious script is permanently stored on the server and executed whenever the compromised content is accessed. The attack vector typically involves the manipulation of user profile data, comments, or other editable content areas within the BuddyMeet plugin interface, where user inputs are not adequately filtered before being displayed to other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation. An attacker with contributor+ access can craft persistent scripts that will execute whenever other users view affected pages, potentially compromising their sessions and allowing for unauthorized access to sensitive information. This vulnerability particularly affects WordPress environments where multiple users have varying levels of access, as it leverages the existing permission structure to gain a foothold. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code persists even after the initial injection, making it particularly dangerous for long-term exploitation and difficult to detect through routine security scans.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to the patched version of the Cytech BuddyMeet plugin, applying the latest security updates to their WordPress installations, and implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls and input validation layers. The remediation process should involve comprehensive testing of the updated plugin to ensure that the XSS vulnerability has been properly addressed while maintaining all existing functionality. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of user permissions and access controls to minimize the attack surface, as the vulnerability specifically requires contributor+ privileges to exploit. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular security monitoring can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities in the future. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript and T1566.001 for Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, highlighting the potential for both automated exploitation and targeted social engineering approaches to leverage the stored XSS weakness.