CVE-2023-48321 in Accelerated Mobile Pages Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/30/2023
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Ahmed Kaludi, Mohammed Kaludi AMP for WP – Accelerated Mobile Pages allows Stored XSS.This issue affects AMP for WP – Accelerated Mobile Pages: from n/a through 1.0.88.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2023
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the AMP for WP plugin, specifically targeting the web page generation process where user input is improperly sanitized. The issue manifests as a stored XSS attack vector that allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into web pages that are subsequently served to other users. The vulnerability exists within the input handling mechanisms of the plugin's AMP page generation functionality, where data submitted by users is not adequately neutralized before being rendered in web pages. This allows attackers to persistently inject malicious code that executes in the context of other users' browsers, making it particularly dangerous for content management systems where multiple users interact with the platform. The affected version range indicates that all versions up to and including 1.0.88.1 are vulnerable, suggesting a widespread impact across the plugin's user base.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when malicious input is accepted through forms or user-contributed content fields within the WordPress environment and subsequently stored in the database without proper sanitization. When other users view the affected AMP pages, their browsers execute the injected malicious scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that once the malicious payload is injected, it remains active until manually removed from the system, providing attackers with persistent access to victim users. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which focuses on code injection attacks through web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, steal sensitive information, or manipulate content within the affected WordPress installation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to compromise user sessions, inject malicious advertisements, or redirect users to phishing sites that appear legitimate within the context of the affected website. The AMP for WP plugin's role in accelerating mobile page delivery makes this particularly concerning, as mobile users may be more susceptible to certain types of attacks due to less sophisticated security awareness. Organizations using this plugin are at risk of data breaches, reputational damage, and potential compliance violations, especially in environments where sensitive user data is processed. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate security testing during the development lifecycle, highlighting the importance of implementing robust security controls at every stage of software development.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 1.0.88.2 or later, which addresses the input sanitization issues. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as content security policies to limit script execution, regular security audits of user-contributed content, and monitoring for suspicious activity patterns. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of comprehensive security testing including dynamic application security testing and static code analysis to identify similar flaws in other components of the web application stack. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning and regular security assessments to maintain a robust security posture against evolving threats in the web application landscape.