CVE-2023-50889 in Beaver Builder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/29/2023
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in The Beaver Builder Team Beaver Builder – WordPress Page Builder allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Beaver Builder – WordPress Page Builder: from n/a through 2.7.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-50889 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness within the Beaver Builder WordPress page builder plugin, specifically affecting versions through 2.7.2. This flaw resides in the improper neutralization of input during web page generation processes, creating a persistent stored XSS attack vector that can compromise user sessions and execute malicious code within the context of affected websites. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data when processing content within the plugin's administrative interfaces, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that persistently store and execute across user sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the failure to properly validate and sanitize input parameters within the plugin's content generation workflows. When administrators or users interact with the Beaver Builder interface, the system does not adequately filter or escape special characters in user inputs, enabling attackers to embed malicious JavaScript payloads within page elements, content blocks, or configuration settings. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code remains persistent within the application's database or storage mechanisms, executing every time affected pages are loaded or rendered. The flaw directly maps to CWE-79, which defines the improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a primary cause of cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive cookies, perform unauthorized administrative actions, and potentially escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious scripts that redirect users to phishing sites, steal authentication tokens, or modify website content without authorization. The stored nature of the XSS vulnerability means that the attack vector remains active even after the initial injection, continuously affecting all users who access the compromised pages until the vulnerability is patched. This persistent threat can severely compromise the integrity and confidentiality of WordPress websites relying on the affected plugin version.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-50889 require immediate action to upgrade the Beaver Builder plugin to version 2.7.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input sanitization deficiencies. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation measures at multiple layers including application-level filtering, content security policies, and regular security audits of plugin installations. The remediation process must include thorough scanning of affected websites for any existing malicious payloads that may have been injected through this vulnerability. Security administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious script injections, while also establishing regular patch management procedures to ensure timely updates of all WordPress plugins and themes. Additionally, user access controls should be reviewed to limit administrative privileges and implement principle of least privilege concepts to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.