CVE-2023-49150 in Crypto Converter Widget Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/14/2023
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in CurrencyRate.Today Crypto Converter Widget allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Crypto Converter Widget: from n/a through 1.8.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-49150 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the CurrencyRate.Today Crypto Converter Widget application. This stored XSS vulnerability arises from inadequate input sanitization during web page generation processes, creating a persistent security risk for users interacting with the cryptocurrency conversion tool. The flaw specifically impacts versions of the widget ranging from an unspecified starting point through version 1.8.1, indicating a substantial attack surface that requires immediate attention from system administrators and security teams.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly neutralize user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. When users provide data through the widget interface, the application stores this input without adequate sanitization measures, subsequently rendering it in web pages without proper encoding or filtering. This creates an environment where malicious scripts can be permanently embedded within the application's data storage and executed whenever affected pages are loaded. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists across multiple user sessions and browser visits, amplifying its potential impact compared to reflected XSS variants.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to both end users and the application's hosting infrastructure. Attackers can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized financial transactions. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that malicious actors can establish persistent backdoors or surveillance mechanisms that remain active until manually removed. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for credential access and T1059 for command and control through script execution, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may have elevated privileges or financial access.
The vulnerability's classification under CWE-79, Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, indicates a fundamental flaw in the application's data handling architecture. This weakness allows malicious input to be interpreted as executable code rather than plain text, violating core web security principles. The affected Crypto Converter Widget represents a high-value target due to its integration with cryptocurrency services, where successful exploitation could lead to direct financial losses. Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability as part of broader web application security assessments, particularly when evaluating plugins or widgets that handle user input and generate dynamic content. The specific version range suggests that organizations running any version within this spectrum should prioritize immediate remediation efforts to prevent potential exploitation.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies including immediate version updates, input validation enforcement, and output encoding mechanisms. The remediation process should involve thorough code review to identify all input handling points and ensure proper sanitization of all user-supplied data before storage or rendering. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular security scanning can help detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in web applications and the potential consequences of inadequate security controls in financial and cryptocurrency-related software solutions.