CVE-2023-47853 in Points, Rewards, Gamification, Ranks, Badges & Loyalty Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/30/2023
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in myCred myCred – Points, Rewards, Gamification, Ranks, Badges & Loyalty Plugin allows Stored XSS.This issue affects myCred – Points, Rewards, Gamification, Ranks, Badges & Loyalty Plugin: from n/a through 2.6.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2023-47853 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the myCred plugin for WordPress, specifically impacting versions ranging from the initial release through 2.6.1. This stored XSS vulnerability arises from inadequate input sanitization during web page generation processes, creating a persistent security risk that can affect multiple users simultaneously. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's user interface components, which are then executed whenever other users view the affected pages. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly neutralize user-supplied input before rendering it in web pages, creating an environment where malicious code can persist and propagate through the application's interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the myCred plugin processes user-generated content or administrative inputs without adequate validation and sanitization. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting malicious payloads through various input fields within the plugin's administration interface or user-facing components. When these inputs are stored in the database and subsequently rendered in web pages, the stored scripts execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially enabling session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious code persists on the server and affects all users who interact with the compromised plugin functionality, unlike reflected XSS which requires specific user interaction with crafted links.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-47853 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised WordPress environment. An attacker with successful exploitation could potentially steal administrator credentials, modify plugin settings, inject malicious content into user interfaces, or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability's persistence through stored data means that even if the initial injection point is patched, the malicious scripts remain active until manually removed from the database. This makes the attack surface particularly dangerous for websites relying on myCred for loyalty programs, gamification systems, or reward management, as these platforms often contain sensitive user data and administrative controls. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should prevent untrusted input from being directly rendered in web contexts.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to the latest version of the myCred plugin where the XSS issue has been resolved. System administrators should also consider implementing additional defensive measures such as web application firewalls, input validation rules, and regular security scanning of plugin components. The remediation process must include thorough database cleanup to remove any previously injected malicious content and monitoring for signs of compromise. Security teams should also review the plugin's access controls and permissions to ensure that only authorized users can submit content that might be processed through vulnerable input fields. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding in web applications, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's methodology for web application exploitation techniques. The incident highlights the necessity of regular security assessments and prompt patch management to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in widely-used plugins and themes.