CVE-2023-48336 in Easy Social Icons Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/30/2023
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in cybernetikz Easy Social Icons allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Easy Social Icons: from n/a through 3.2.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2023
This vulnerability represents a classic stored cross-site scripting flaw that undermines the security integrity of web applications by allowing malicious script execution within the context of legitimate user sessions. The vulnerability exists within the cybernetikz Easy Social Icons plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from an unspecified initial state through version 3.2.4, creating a significant attack surface for threat actors seeking to compromise user interactions with web pages. The flaw manifests when the plugin fails to properly sanitize user input during the generation of web page content, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database or storage mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the plugin's codebase, particularly when processing social media icon configuration data and user-generated content. When users configure social media links or custom icon parameters through the admin interface, the plugin does not sufficiently neutralize potentially malicious input before storing it in the database. This stored data is then retrieved and rendered on web pages without proper sanitization, allowing attacker-controlled scripts to execute in the browsers of unsuspecting visitors. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates poor adherence to secure coding practices that should prevent the injection of untrusted data into dynamic web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can manipulate the social icons displayed on a website to include malicious javascript that executes when users view the page, potentially compromising user accounts and accessing sensitive information. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious code persists even after the initial injection, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over extended periods. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531, which covers "Establishment of Command and Control Channels", as the malicious scripts can be used to create persistent communication channels between compromised systems and attacker-controlled infrastructure.
Organizations utilizing the affected Easy Social Icons plugin should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of the vendor-provided security patch or upgrade to version 3.2.5 or later, as this represents the most effective mitigation strategy for eliminating the vulnerability. Additionally, implementing comprehensive input validation mechanisms, output encoding practices, and regular security assessments can help prevent similar issues in other components of the web application. Security teams should also consider deploying web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing robust security controls throughout the application development lifecycle to prevent the introduction of similar flaws in future implementations.