CVE-2023-45644 in CPT Shortcode Generator Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Auth. (admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Anurag Deshmukh CPT Shortcode Generator plugin
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2023
The CVE-2023-45644 vulnerability represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw within the CPT Shortcode Generator plugin developed by Anurag Deshmukh. This security weakness affects WordPress environments where the plugin is installed and poses significant risks to administrative users who have privileges equal to or greater than administrator level. The vulnerability resides in how the plugin processes and stores user input, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject persistent malicious scripts into the application's database. The flaw specifically impacts the plugin's handling of shortcode parameters and content generation mechanisms, where insufficient input validation and output sanitization allow attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of admin sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-provided data within the plugin's shortcode generation functionality. When administrators or privileged users create or modify custom post type shortcodes through the WordPress admin interface, the plugin fails to properly escape or validate the input parameters before storing them in the database. This stored data is then subsequently rendered without proper context-aware escaping, creating a classic stored XSS attack vector. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only administrative privileges to exploit, meaning that an attacker who has gained access to an admin account or has managed to escalate privileges can inject malicious scripts that will execute whenever any admin user views the affected content. The attack vector typically involves crafting malicious shortcode parameters containing script tags that get stored and later executed when the admin interface displays the shortcode content.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-45644 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised WordPress environment. Administrators who view affected pages may unknowingly execute scripts that can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify content, or even establish persistent backdoors within the WordPress installation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 related to spearphishing attachments, as attackers could craft malicious shortcodes as part of broader social engineering campaigns. Additionally, this vulnerability supports privilege escalation and lateral movement tactics within compromised environments, as successful exploitation allows attackers to execute commands with administrative privileges and potentially access sensitive data or modify core WordPress functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-45644 should include immediate plugin updates from the vendor to address the stored XSS vulnerability, as well as implementing comprehensive input validation and output sanitization measures within the WordPress environment. Organizations should enforce strict access controls and privilege management to limit administrative access to only essential personnel, while also implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Security monitoring should include regular scanning for malicious code within the WordPress database and plugin directories, with particular attention to shortcode parameters and custom post type content. The recommended approach aligns with NIST SP 800-53 security controls related to input validation and output encoding, ensuring that all user-provided data undergoes proper sanitization before being stored or rendered within the application context. Additionally, implementing role-based access controls and regular security audits can help prevent unauthorized access that could lead to exploitation of this vulnerability.