CVE-2023-4502 in Translate with GTranslate Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/25/2023
The Translate WordPress with GTranslate WordPress plugin before 3.0.4 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). This vulnerability affects multiple parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4502 resides within the Translate WordPress with GTranslate plugin, specifically impacting versions prior to 3.0.4. This issue represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress installations by enabling stored cross-site scripting attacks through improper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets high-privilege users such as administrators, who possess extensive control over the WordPress environment. The flaw manifests in the plugin's failure to adequately sanitize user-provided data within its settings parameters, creating persistent attack vectors that can persist across multiple user sessions and page loads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's inadequate handling of user input within its administrative interfaces. When administrators configure the plugin settings, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape specific parameters that are subsequently stored in the WordPress database. This stored data becomes executable when rendered in subsequent page views, creating a classic stored XSS scenario where malicious scripts can be injected and executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multisite environments where the unfiltered_html capability may be restricted for security reasons, yet the flaw still allows for successful exploitation. This demonstrates a fundamental breakdown in the plugin's security architecture, as it does not properly validate or sanitize inputs even when WordPress core security measures are in place.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to compromise entire WordPress installations through administrative accounts. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to steal session cookies, modify content, redirect users to malicious sites, or even escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability affects multiple parameters within the plugin's configuration system, indicating a systemic issue rather than a single point of failure. In multisite configurations, where security policies are more stringent and user capabilities are carefully managed, this vulnerability becomes even more dangerous as it bypasses the normal security restrictions that should protect against such attacks. The stored nature of the XSS means that the malicious code persists until manually removed from the database, creating long-term exposure windows for affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-4502 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 3.0.4 or later, which contain the necessary sanitization and escaping fixes. Organizations should conduct thorough security audits of their WordPress installations to identify any existing malicious payloads that may have been injected through this vulnerability. System administrators should implement additional monitoring for suspicious administrative activities and unauthorized configuration changes. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege by allowing administrative users to create persistent attack vectors. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control communications and privilege escalation through compromised administrative accounts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation measures as additional defensive layers, while ensuring that all WordPress core and plugin updates are applied promptly to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in their environments.