CVE-2023-46093 in Webmaster Tools
Summary
by MITRE • 10/27/2023
Auth. (admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in LionScripts.Com Webmaster Tools plugin <= 2.0 versions.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2023
This vulnerability exists within the Webmaster Tools plugin developed by LionScripts.Com, affecting versions 2.0 and earlier. The issue manifests as an authenticated stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that requires administrative privileges or higher access level to exploit. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the plugin's administrative interface where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being stored and subsequently rendered back to users. This allows authenticated attackers with administrator-level permissions to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database and execute whenever affected pages are accessed by other users. The flaw specifically impacts the plugin's handling of user input in administrative settings where configuration data and content submissions are processed without adequate sanitization measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's failure to properly escape or filter special characters in user-provided data before storage. When administrators or privileged users submit content through the plugin's administrative forms, the data undergoes minimal validation and is directly stored in the database without proper HTML escaping or encoding. This creates a persistent XSS vector where malicious scripts can be stored and executed in the context of other users' browsers who visit pages that display the compromised data. The vulnerability is classified as stored XSS because the malicious payload is saved server-side and executed whenever the affected content is retrieved and rendered, rather than requiring immediate interaction with the injection point.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with significant privileges within the compromised environment. An attacker with administrative access can leverage this vulnerability to escalate their privileges further, steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of other users with administrative privileges. The attack chain typically involves an attacker first gaining administrative access through other means, then exploiting this vulnerability to maintain persistent access or to escalate their privileges. The vulnerability affects WordPress installations using the affected plugin version, potentially compromising entire websites if administrators are not vigilant about plugin updates and security practices. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited to establish backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or manipulate website content in ways that may go unnoticed for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the Webmaster Tools plugin to version 2.1 or later, which addresses the stored XSS flaw through proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Administrators should implement the principle of least privilege by ensuring that only necessary personnel have administrative access to WordPress installations, thereby limiting the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular security audits of installed plugins can help detect and prevent similar issues. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a typical example of how insufficient input validation creates persistent security risks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering, as it requires administrative access to exploit effectively. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of third-party plugins and maintaining updated security practices are essential for preventing similar vulnerabilities from compromising web applications.