CVE-2023-50824 in Insert or Embed Articulate Content into WordPress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/21/2023
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Brian Batt Insert or Embed Articulate Content into WordPress allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Insert or Embed Articulate Content into WordPress: from n/a through 4.3000000021.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2024
The CVE-2023-50824 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Insert or Embed Articulate Content into WordPress plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from the initial release through 4.3000000021. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The flaw manifests as improper neutralization of input during web page generation, creating a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited through stored data manipulation. The vulnerability's designation as a stored XSS means that malicious scripts are permanently stored on the server and executed whenever affected users access the compromised content, making it particularly dangerous for content management systems where user-generated content is prevalent.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker can inject malicious JavaScript code through input fields or parameters that are then stored in the WordPress database and subsequently rendered in web pages without proper sanitization or encoding. This allows the malicious code to execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects a widely used plugin for embedding Articulate content, which suggests that many WordPress installations may be vulnerable, particularly those that handle multimedia content or educational materials where such plugins are commonly deployed. The specific version range indicates that this flaw has persisted across multiple iterations of the plugin, suggesting inadequate input validation mechanisms throughout the development lifecycle.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-50824 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can compromise entire user sessions and potentially provide attackers with elevated privileges within the WordPress environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to inject persistent malicious payloads that would affect all users who view pages containing the compromised content, making it a significant threat to website integrity and user security. The vulnerability's presence in a plugin designed for embedding multimedia content creates additional attack surface, as users may inadvertently encounter malicious scripts when viewing embedded Articulate presentations or other multimedia elements. Organizations running WordPress sites with this plugin installed face potential data breaches, user impersonation, and service disruption, particularly in environments where sensitive information is managed through WordPress.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-50824 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as this represents the most direct solution to the identified flaw. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious scripts from being stored or executed, following the principle of least privilege and input sanitization practices. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting script execution sources and preventing unauthorized code injection. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or themes, as this flaw demonstrates the importance of proper input handling throughout the application stack. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while ensuring that all WordPress installations maintain current security patches and follow secure coding practices that align with industry standards such as those defined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.