CVE-2023-46199 in Triberr Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/27/2023
Auth. (admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Triberr plugin <= 4.1.1 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2023
The CVE-2023-46199 vulnerability represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within the Triberr plugin for WordPress, affecting versions up to and including 4.1.1. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's administrative interface where authenticated users with administrator privileges or higher can exploit the weakness to inject malicious scripts into the application's data storage. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of user input within administrative contexts, creating a persistent XSS vector that can affect all users who access the compromised administrative pages. The flaw demonstrates a failure in proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms that should have been implemented to prevent malicious script execution in web applications. According to CWE-79, this vulnerability falls under the category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a severe security weakness that allows attackers to execute scripts in the context of other users' browsers. The issue represents a significant concern for WordPress administrators who rely on the Triberr plugin for their website functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated administrator or user with elevated privileges submits malicious script content through the plugin's administrative forms or data entry points. The malicious payload is then stored within the plugin's database or configuration files and subsequently executed whenever other users access the affected administrative pages or view content generated by the vulnerable plugin. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious script persists across multiple sessions and can affect numerous users without requiring them to interact with the malicious content directly. The attack vector specifically involves the manipulation of input fields within the Triberr plugin's administrative interface, where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied data before storing it. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which describes the exploitation of stored data in web applications to achieve persistent malicious effects. The flaw essentially allows for the injection of JavaScript code that can perform actions such as cookie theft, session hijacking, or redirection to malicious sites, making it particularly dangerous for administrators who maintain elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-46199 extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates a persistent backdoor for attackers to maintain access to compromised WordPress installations. When an administrator accesses the vulnerable plugin interface, the stored malicious script executes in their browser, potentially allowing attackers to steal administrative credentials, modify content, or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it requires only administrative-level access to exploit, meaning that attackers who have gained access to any administrative account can leverage this weakness to establish more persistent and dangerous attacks. Organizations using the Triberr plugin are at risk of complete compromise of their WordPress installations, as the vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of privileged users. The impact is particularly concerning for websites that rely heavily on the plugin's functionality, as the malicious scripts can manipulate the plugin's behavior to redirect traffic, collect sensitive information, or perform unauthorized modifications to the website's content and configuration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-46199 should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that address the stored XSS vulnerability. Administrators should ensure that all instances of the Triberr plugin are updated to the latest available version that contains proper input validation and output encoding fixes. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization measures and output encoding at the application level can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from manifesting in other parts of the WordPress installation. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual administrative activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, including monitoring for unexpected script injections in administrative interfaces. According to industry best practices for web application security, organizations should implement comprehensive input validation that filters out potentially malicious content before storage and ensure that all output is properly encoded to prevent script execution in browser contexts. Network-based intrusion detection systems should also be configured to monitor for suspicious patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on administrative access patterns and data submission activities within the affected plugin's interface. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses across the entire WordPress ecosystem. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping all plugins and themes updated, as outdated software components represent common attack vectors for sophisticated adversaries seeking to establish persistent access to web applications.