CVE-2023-47767 in Interactive World Map Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/23/2023
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Fla-shop.Com Interactive World Map plugin <= 3.2.0 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2023
The CVE-2023-47767 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Fla-shop.Com Interactive World Map plugin, specifically affecting versions up to and including 3.2.0. This vulnerability resides in the improper neutralization of input during web page generation processes, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary code into web pages viewed by unsuspecting users. The flaw manifests when user-supplied data is not adequately sanitized or escaped before being rendered in HTML output contexts, allowing attackers to execute malicious scripts within the victim's browser session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the plugin's rendering engine. When the plugin processes user-generated content or configuration parameters for map display elements, it fails to properly escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript markup. This weakness directly aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic example of client-side code injection. The vulnerability can be exploited through various vectors including map markers, location labels, or configurable plugin parameters that accept user input.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to websites utilizing the affected plugin, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code within the context of the victim's browser. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, deface websites, or redirect users to malicious domains. The impact extends beyond individual user sessions to potentially compromise entire website infrastructures, especially when the plugin is used in conjunction with administrative interfaces or user account systems. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to compromised sites, making it particularly dangerous for e-commerce platforms or content management systems where user trust is paramount.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that address the XSS flaw. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms, ensuring all user-supplied data is properly escaped before rendering in HTML contexts. Security teams should also consider implementing content security policies and regular security audits of third-party plugins to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into web applications. Additionally, monitoring for exploitation attempts and maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence regarding this specific CVE will help organizations respond effectively to potential attacks targeting this weakness. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1566.001 for spearphishing attachments, which are commonly employed in exploiting such web-based vulnerabilities.