CVE-2023-47510 in WPDBSpringClean Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/07/2023
Unauth. Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in WPSolutions-HQ WPDBSpringClean plugin <= 1.6 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2023
The CVE-2023-47510 vulnerability represents a critical unauthenticated reflected cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the WPSolutions-HQ WPDBSpringClean WordPress plugin. This vulnerability affects versions 1.6 and earlier, making it a significant security risk for WordPress installations that utilize this plugin. The flaw resides in how the plugin handles user input within its web interface, specifically in parameters that are not properly sanitized or validated before being reflected back to users. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack because malicious scripts are injected through maliciously crafted URLs that, when clicked by an unsuspecting user, execute in the victim's browser context. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any user who visits a maliciously crafted URL.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the plugin's codebase, where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into the HTTP response without adequate sanitization. According to CWE-79, this vulnerability maps directly to the Common Weakness Enumeration category for Cross-Site Scripting, which represents one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The flaw operates by accepting user input through URL parameters or form fields that are then echoed back to the browser without proper HTML escaping or encoding. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that, when executed in a victim's browser, can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of the vulnerable website. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious script payload is reflected off the web server rather than being stored, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent through traditional security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors that compromise user sessions and potentially lead to full system compromise. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can manipulate the victim's browser to perform actions on their behalf, such as changing user passwords, accessing sensitive data, or modifying website content. The attack typically requires social engineering to get users to click malicious links, but once executed, it can be extremely difficult to trace back to the original source. This vulnerability affects WordPress administrators and users who may encounter the malicious links, potentially leading to unauthorized access to administrative panels and data breaches. The impact is particularly severe because the vulnerability exists in a plugin that may be widely deployed across multiple WordPress installations, amplifying the potential attack surface. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability corresponds to T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, and T1566 for Phishing, as the exploitation often requires user interaction through malicious links.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-47510 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the reflected XSS vulnerability. System administrators should implement robust input validation and output encoding practices to prevent similar issues in the future, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. The recommended approach includes applying the vendor-supplied patch immediately, as well as implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads targeting reflected XSS vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts, and conduct regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other plugins and themes. Additionally, user education about phishing risks and suspicious links should be emphasized to reduce the likelihood of successful social engineering attacks that exploit this vulnerability. The security community should also monitor for related vulnerabilities in similar plugins and maintain updated threat intelligence to prevent exploitation attempts.