CVE-2023-51399 in Back Button Widget Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/29/2023
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in WPFactory Back Button Widget allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Back Button Widget: from n/a through 1.6.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2024
The CVE-2023-51399 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the WPFactory Back Button Widget plugin for WordPress systems. This stored cross-site scripting vulnerability occurs when the plugin fails to properly sanitize user input during the generation of web pages, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's output. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the Back Button Widget plugin ranging from the initial release through version 1.6.3, indicating a prolonged period during which this security weakness remained unaddressed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. When users interact with the back button widget functionality, particularly through configurable parameters or user-defined content, the plugin processes this input without sufficient sanitization measures. This processing failure creates a persistent XSS vector where malicious scripts can be stored within the plugin's configuration or content fields and subsequently executed whenever legitimate users view the affected web pages. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists in the system and affects multiple users over time, rather than requiring a single interaction to exploit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, manipulate website content, or redirect users to malicious sites. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser, potentially gaining access to cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive data that the user has access to within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used plugin increases the attack surface significantly, as it could affect numerous WordPress installations that have not yet updated to patched versions, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation campaigns.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through plugin updates to version 1.6.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input sanitization issues. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive input validation measures and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content, highlighting the multi-layered security implications of this weakness. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of their WordPress installations to identify any other plugins or themes that may exhibit similar input validation deficiencies, as the presence of one vulnerable component increases the likelihood of additional security weaknesses within the broader system architecture.