CVE-2023-4602 in Namaste LMS Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/15/2023
The Namaste! LMS plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the 'course_id' parameter in versions up to, and including, 2.6.1.1 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2026
The CVE-2023-4602 vulnerability affects the Namaste! Learning Management System plugin for WordPress, a popular educational platform that enables institutions to create and manage online courses. This particular flaw exists in versions up to and including 2.6.1.1, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this plugin for their learning management infrastructure. The vulnerability manifests as a reflected cross-site scripting issue that specifically targets the 'course_id' parameter, which is commonly used within the plugin's URL structure to identify and display specific course content.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and insufficient output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. When user-supplied data from the 'course_id' parameter is processed without proper validation and sanitization, malicious scripts can be injected into the application's response. This occurs because the plugin fails to adequately filter or escape user input before incorporating it into dynamic web page content. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS issue, meaning that the malicious script is reflected off the web server and executed in the victim's browser when they access a specially crafted URL containing the malicious payload. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of the victim's browser session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial for WordPress sites utilizing the Namaste! LMS plugin, as it creates a vector for various malicious activities that can compromise both user data and system integrity. Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs containing XSS payloads that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, will execute scripts in their browsers. This could lead to session hijacking, where attackers steal user authentication tokens and impersonate legitimate users to access restricted course materials or administrative functions. Additionally, the vulnerability could enable attackers to redirect users to malicious websites, steal sensitive information from user sessions, or even perform unauthorized actions within the LMS if users have administrative privileges. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the attack requires social engineering to convince victims to click on malicious links, but once executed, it can have far-reaching consequences for the security of the entire learning management system.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement several mitigation strategies to protect their systems and users. The primary and most effective solution is to upgrade to the latest version of the Namaste! LMS plugin where this vulnerability has been patched and properly addressed. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious XSS payloads, input validation rules that filter out suspicious characters in URL parameters, and content security policies that limit the execution of scripts within the application. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any other potential weaknesses in the WordPress installation. Furthermore, user education and awareness programs should be implemented to help users recognize and avoid potentially malicious links that might exploit this vulnerability. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and from an ATT&CK perspective, it aligns with T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 for Phishing techniques that leverage XSS vulnerabilities for initial access and privilege escalation within web applications.