CVE-2023-51373 in Google Photos Gallery with Shortcodes Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/29/2023
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Ian Kennerley Google Photos Gallery with Shortcodes allows Reflected XSS.This issue affects Google Photos Gallery with Shortcodes: from n/a through 4.0.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-51373 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Google Photos Gallery with Shortcodes plugin for WordPress. This weakness falls under the category of improper input neutralization during web page generation, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary script code within the context of a user's browser session. The vulnerability specifically manifests as a reflected cross-site scripting attack, where malicious payloads are reflected back to users through web application responses, typically via URL parameters or form inputs. The affected plugin version range extends from an unknown starting point through version 4.0.2, indicating that any installation within this scope remains susceptible to exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization and validation of user-supplied input data that gets incorporated into dynamically generated web pages. When the plugin processes shortcode parameters or other user-provided content, it fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as executable script code. This oversight allows attackers to craft malicious URLs or form submissions containing JavaScript payloads that are subsequently reflected back to unsuspecting users, executing within their browser context. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious code does not need to be stored on the server, making it particularly challenging to detect and mitigate through traditional server-side defenses. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within user sessions. Successful exploitation could allow threat actors to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive authentication tokens, redirect users to malicious websites, or even perform unauthorized actions on behalf of the victim. The reflected nature means that attacks can be delivered through phishing emails, compromised websites, or social engineering campaigns where users are tricked into clicking malicious links. Given that this plugin is designed for media gallery functionality, attackers could potentially manipulate image display or embed malicious content that persists through user interactions. The vulnerability affects WordPress installations where the plugin is active, potentially compromising thousands of websites if the plugin has widespread adoption. Organizations should consider the broader implications of reflected XSS attacks, which can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks including credential theft, session hijacking, and privilege escalation within the affected applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-51373 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the reflected XSS vulnerability, as the vendor has likely released patches to resolve the input sanitization issues. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that properly escape or filter all user-supplied content before incorporating it into web page generation processes. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies that restrict script execution, deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and conducting regular security audits of plugin installations to ensure all components remain current with security patches. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious links and verifying website authenticity before entering credentials or personal information. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing robust input validation as fundamental security practices in web application development and deployment.