CVE-2023-47833 in Theater Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/23/2023
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Jeroen Schmit Theater for WordPress plugin <= 0.18.3 versions.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2023
The CVE-2023-47833 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Jeroen Schmit Theater WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions up to and including 0.18.3. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's improper handling of user input during web page generation processes, creating a significant security risk for WordPress websites that utilize this particular plugin. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or complete compromise of affected sites. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic weakness in input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks in web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data within the plugin's web page generation routines. When the plugin processes user input for theater-related content such as event descriptions, performer names, or venue information, it fails to properly neutralize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This improper handling creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's rendering functions that generate dynamic web content, where user-provided data is directly incorporated into HTML output without sufficient security controls. According to CWE-79, this vulnerability maps directly to Cross-site Scripting flaws that occur when web applications fail to properly encode output, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with multiple attack vectors for compromising affected WordPress installations. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to steal user session cookies, redirect victims to malicious websites, inject malicious advertisements, or even escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability affects all users who have the compromised plugin installed, including administrators, which could lead to complete system compromise if attackers can leverage the XSS to gain administrative access. The risk is particularly elevated for websites that host user-generated content or have multiple contributors, as the attack surface expands with each user input field that is improperly sanitized. Organizations using this plugin may face data breaches, reputational damage, and potential regulatory compliance violations if the vulnerability is exploited successfully.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-47833 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as the vendor has likely released patches to resolve the issue. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation measures including strict sanitization of all user-provided data before it is processed or displayed in web pages. Additionally, deploying Content Security Policies can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed on affected websites. Regular security audits of installed WordPress plugins should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities, with particular attention to plugins that handle user input or generate dynamic content. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script injection attempts, and maintain up-to-date security monitoring to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices that align with security standards such as those recommended by OWASP and the CWE guidelines for preventing XSS vulnerabilities in web applications.