CVE-2023-4858 in Simple Table Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/06/2023
The Simple Table Manager WordPress plugin through 1.5.6 does not sanitise and escape some of its settings, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed (for example in multisite setup).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2025
The Simple Table Manager WordPress plugin version 1.5.6 contains a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects high-privilege users including administrators. This vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-provided input within the plugin's settings handling mechanisms. The flaw specifically targets the plugin's configuration parameters that are stored in the WordPress database and subsequently rendered without proper output escaping, creating an avenue for persistent malicious script execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where improper sanitization of user input allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. In this case, the vulnerability occurs within the plugin's administrative settings interface where user inputs are not adequately filtered before being saved to the database. When these stored values are later rendered in the admin dashboard or frontend interfaces, the unescaped scripts execute within the context of other users' browsers, particularly those with administrative privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple XSS attacks as it can be exploited in multi-site WordPress environments where the unfiltered_html capability is typically restricted to prevent arbitrary HTML injection. Attackers with administrator-level access can leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious scripts that persist across user sessions and can potentially escalate privileges or exfiltrate sensitive data. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that malicious scripts remain active even after the initial injection, making it particularly dangerous in long-term environments.
This vulnerability can be exploited through the WordPress admin interface where administrators configure table settings and other plugin parameters. The attack vector requires an authenticated administrator account, but once compromised, the attacker can inject scripts that execute in the context of other administrators or users with similar privileges. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in multi-site installations where administrators may have varying levels of access control and where the security model relies on proper input sanitization.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate plugin updates to versions that address the sanitization issues, implementing additional input validation at the WordPress level, and restricting administrative privileges to only necessary users. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious script injections, along with regular security audits of installed plugins. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output escaping practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other security frameworks, emphasizing that even administrative interfaces require robust security measures to prevent privilege escalation through injection attacks.