CVE-2023-50368 in Shortcodes and Extra Features for Phlox Theme
Summary
by MITRE • 12/14/2023
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Averta Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme: from n/a through 2.15.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2023-50368 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Averta Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme, classified under CWE-79 as improper neutralization of input during web page generation. This vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent threat that can affect multiple visitors over time. The issue specifically impacts versions of the theme ranging from an unspecified initial version through 2.15.2, indicating a prolonged exposure window where users remained vulnerable to this security weakness. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that malicious payloads are permanently saved on the server and executed whenever affected pages are accessed, rather than requiring immediate user interaction with a crafted link.
The technical flaw occurs during the web page generation process where user input provided through shortcode parameters or theme customization features fails to undergo proper sanitization or encoding before being rendered in web pages. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through legitimate theme functionality that should only accept safe input. The vulnerability exploits the theme's handling of user-provided content within its shortcode processing mechanisms, where input validation is insufficient to prevent the execution of harmful scripts. When administrators or users enter content into theme features that support shortcode functionality, the system does not adequately escape or filter potentially dangerous characters and script tags, creating an attack surface for malicious actors to manipulate the application's behavior.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as stored XSS attacks can enable sophisticated attack chains that compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious sites. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in the context of other users' browsers, potentially accessing their cookies, session tokens, or personal data. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that once the malicious payload is injected, it continues to affect all users who view the compromised pages until the vulnerability is patched. This makes the attack particularly dangerous for websites that rely on user-generated content or have multiple administrators who might unknowingly introduce malicious scripts through theme customization features.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-50368 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected theme versions to address the root cause of the input sanitization failure. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms that follow established security practices such as those outlined in the OWASP XSS Prevention Cheat Sheet. The remediation process must ensure that all user-provided input within shortcode parameters undergoes proper sanitization before being processed or stored, with special attention to preventing script execution in web page contexts. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in theme customization or shortcode usage that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to add an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks, as recommended by the ATT&CK framework's approach to defending against web-based attacks. Regular security assessments of theme components and plugins should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that might exist in other parts of the web application stack.