CVE-2023-48285 in Accept Stripe Payments Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/04/2024
Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page (Basic XSS) vulnerability in Tips and Tricks HQ Stripe Payments allows Code Injection.This issue affects Stripe Payments: from n/a through 2.0.79.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-48285 represents a classic cross-site scripting weakness categorized under CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. This flaw exists within the Tips and Tricks HQ Stripe Payments plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from an unspecified starting point through 2.0.79. The core issue stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input that gets reflected back into web page content without proper HTML escaping or encoding mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious script code into input fields that are subsequently rendered in web pages, creating a persistent XSS vector that can be leveraged for various malicious purposes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows threat actors to craft malicious payloads that bypass the plugin's input validation mechanisms. When user data containing HTML tags or script code is processed and displayed within the web interface, the system fails to properly neutralize these elements before rendering them in the browser context. This creates an environment where attackers can inject JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically affects the basic XSS vector as defined in the ATT&CK framework under T1566.001 Initial Access: Phishing, where the attack surface includes web applications that improperly handle user input. The lack of proper input sanitization means that even seemingly benign input fields become potential attack vectors for script injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, manipulate web page content, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected system. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows attackers to access user sessions, modify data displayed to other users, or redirect them to malicious websites. The affected Stripe Payments plugin environment creates a persistent threat vector that can compromise user trust and data integrity, particularly in e-commerce contexts where sensitive payment information is processed. Organizations using this plugin are exposed to risks including unauthorized access to customer data, potential financial fraud, and reputational damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's scope is particularly concerning as it affects a payment processing plugin, making it attractive to threat actors seeking financial gain through data theft or transaction manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-48285 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 2.0.80 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all user-facing interfaces, ensuring that any data entered by users is properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. The implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers provides an additional layer of protection by restricting script execution and reducing the impact of successful XSS attacks. Security monitoring should include regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAF) rules specifically designed to detect and block XSS attack patterns, as well as establishing secure coding practices that emphasize proper input validation and output encoding. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in functionality while maintaining the security improvements necessary to address the vulnerability.