CVE-2023-4783 in Magee Shortcodes Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
The Magee Shortcodes WordPress plugin through 2.1.1 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attributes before outputting them back in a page/post where the shortcode is embed, which could allow users with the contributor role and above to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2023
The Magee Shortcodes WordPress plugin vulnerability CVE-2023-4783 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that affects versions through 2.1.1. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of shortcode attributes where insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. The issue specifically targets the plugin's shortcode processing functionality, which allows administrators and contributors to embed dynamic content through shortcode tags that can be executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is heightened by the fact that it affects users with contributor role and above, meaning that even less privileged users within the WordPress ecosystem can leverage this weakness to compromise other users. This represents a significant security regression that undermines the principle of least privilege and proper input sanitization within WordPress plugin architecture.
The technical flaw manifests when the plugin processes shortcode attributes without adequate validation and sanitization before incorporating them into HTML output. According to CWE-79, this vulnerability directly maps to Cross-Site Scripting attacks where malicious scripts are injected into web pages viewed by other users. The plugin fails to implement proper output escaping mechanisms for attributes that are later rendered in the browser context, creating an environment where user-supplied content can be interpreted as executable JavaScript code. Attackers can craft malicious shortcode parameters that contain script tags or other malicious payloads, which when processed by the plugin, become persistent stored content within the WordPress database. This stored content is then served to unsuspecting users whenever the affected page or post is accessed, creating a classic stored XSS attack vector that can be used for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within WordPress environments. The contributor role and above access level means that even users who should not have extensive privileges can leverage this vulnerability to compromise the entire site's security. This attack vector can be particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where contributors may have access to sensitive content or administrative functions. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, malicious payloads persist indefinitely until manually removed from the database, making detection and remediation more challenging. Attackers can use this vulnerability to establish backdoors, steal user credentials, manipulate content, or redirect users to phishing sites, potentially leading to complete site compromise and data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-4783 should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the vulnerability, as well as implementing additional security measures. Organizations should ensure that all WordPress installations maintain current plugin versions and regularly audit their plugin ecosystem for known vulnerabilities. The remediation process involves updating the Magee Shortcodes plugin to a version that properly validates and escapes shortcode attributes before output. Security teams should also implement proper input validation at multiple levels including server-side sanitization, output escaping, and content security policies to prevent XSS attacks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.008 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 for Phishing, indicating the potential for both code execution and social engineering attacks. Regular security scanning and monitoring of user-generated content should be implemented to detect anomalous shortcode usage patterns, while role-based access controls should be reviewed to ensure that users have appropriate permissions without unnecessary privileges that could be exploited.