CVE-2023-45754 in Easy Testimonial Slider and Form Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Auth. (admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in I Thirteen Web Solution Easy Testimonial Slider and Form plugin
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2023
The CVE-2023-45754 vulnerability represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within the Easy Testimonial Slider and Form plugin developed by I Thirteen Web Solution. This security weakness specifically affects administrative users with privileges level of administrator or higher, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers who have gained administrative access or through credential compromise. The vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of user input within testimonial submission forms, where malicious scripts can be persistently stored and executed when other users view the testimonial content. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security flaw that allows attackers to inject malicious client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566.001 - Phishing, as it can be leveraged to deliver malicious payloads through crafted testimonial content that appears legitimate to end users. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious code is permanently embedded within the application's database or storage system, making it persistent and difficult to detect through simple scanning methods. When an authenticated administrator or privileged user views the testimonial data, the malicious script executes in their browser context, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of the victim, or redirect them to malicious websites. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as this vulnerability can be used to escalate privileges, establish persistent backdoors, or facilitate further attacks within the compromised system. The vulnerability affects WordPress installations that utilize the Easy Testimonial Slider and Form plugin, particularly those where administrative users regularly review and manage testimonial submissions. This makes it a significant concern for websites that rely heavily on user-generated content and trust their administrative interface for managing sensitive data. The exploitation requires an attacker to have administrative access or the ability to compromise administrative credentials, which makes this vulnerability particularly concerning in environments where privilege separation is not properly enforced. The attack vector typically involves an attacker submitting malicious JavaScript code through the testimonial submission form, which is then stored in the database and executed whenever the testimonial is rendered in the admin interface or public-facing pages. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, as proper sanitization of user inputs would prevent the injection of malicious scripts. Organizations using this plugin should immediately implement security patches provided by the vendor or consider alternative solutions while ensuring proper access controls and monitoring for unauthorized administrative activities. The vulnerability highlights the need for regular security audits of third-party plugins and the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. Security teams should also implement monitoring solutions that can detect unusual administrative activities and ensure that proper privilege management is enforced throughout the application ecosystem. The long-term implications of this vulnerability extend to potential data breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive information that may be processed through the testimonial management system, making it essential for organizations to conduct thorough security assessments and remediation efforts.