CVE-2023-50370 in WPBakery Page Builder Addons Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/14/2023
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Livemesh WPBakery Page Builder Addons by Livemesh allows Stored XSS.This issue affects WPBakery Page Builder Addons by Livemesh: from n/a through 3.5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2024
The CVE-2023-50370 vulnerability represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within the Livemesh WPBakery Page Builder Addons plugin, which operates within the WordPress ecosystem. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting and specifically manifests as improper input neutralization during web page generation processes. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database, making it particularly dangerous as the malicious code executes every time the affected page is loaded. The vulnerability affects all versions of the plugin up to and including version 3.5, with no specific lower bound mentioned, suggesting the issue may have existed for an extended period. The WPBakery Page Builder Addons plugin is widely used for enhancing WordPress website functionality, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for website administrators and developers who rely on these tools for content management and website building.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input fields within the plugin's administrative interface or front-end forms where user-generated content is processed and stored. When legitimate users view pages that contain the maliciously stored script, the code executes in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious payload is not limited to a single request but remains active in the database, causing persistent security risks for all users who access affected content. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which focuses on use of malicious code in web applications, and specifically maps to the credential access and persistence phases of the attack lifecycle. The vulnerability's impact is amplified because the plugin operates within WordPress, a platform that many organizations rely on for their digital presence, making the attack surface potentially vast across multiple websites.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-50370 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions, modify website content, or even compromise entire websites through session manipulation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to inject scripts that harvest user credentials, redirect visitors to phishing sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The persistence of stored XSS makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations that rely heavily on user-generated content or collaborative editing features within their WordPress installations. Security teams face significant challenges in detecting and mitigating this vulnerability because the malicious scripts are stored within the application's legitimate data storage, making them difficult to distinguish from normal content. Organizations using this plugin should immediately assess their vulnerability status, implement proper input sanitization measures, and consider network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation in web application development processes, aligning with industry standards that emphasize secure coding practices and defensive programming techniques to prevent such injection vulnerabilities.