CVE-2023-51534 in Create Popup, Optins, Lead Generation, Survey, Sticky Elements & Interactive Content Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/01/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Brave Brave – Create Popup, Optins, Lead Generation, Survey, Sticky Elements & Interactive Content allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Brave – Create Popup, Optins, Lead Generation, Survey, Sticky Elements & Interactive Content: from n/a through 0.6.2.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that resides within the Brave – Create Popup, Optins, Lead Generation, Survey, Sticky Elements & Interactive Content plugin for WordPress. The issue manifests as improper neutralization of input during web page generation, creating an environment where malicious scripts can be stored and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically affects versions ranging from an unknown starting point through version 0.6.2, indicating a prolonged window of exposure for affected systems. This type of stored XSS vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is not adequately sanitized or escaped before being rendered back to users, allowing attackers to inject malicious code that persists in the application's database or storage mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through input fields that are subsequently stored and displayed on web pages. When other users visit pages containing this stored malicious content, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further compromise of the affected systems. The vulnerability's classification as a stored XSS attack means that the malicious payload is permanently stored on the server and executed whenever the compromised page is accessed, making it particularly dangerous compared to reflected XSS variants. This flaw directly aligns with CWE-79, which defines the improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a core weakness that enables cross-site scripting attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors including but not limited to session manipulation, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the compromised WordPress environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, modify content, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the plugin, which is designed to create interactive elements and lead generation tools, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to exploit user interactions with these features. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) and T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript) as attackers can use the stored XSS to deliver malicious payloads and execute JavaScript code against unsuspecting users.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of the vulnerable plugin to version 0.6.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output escaping mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future, ensuring that all user-supplied content is properly sanitized before storage or rendering. Network-based solutions such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring for known XSS attack patterns and blocking malicious payloads before they reach the application. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in other plugins and themes. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping all WordPress components updated, as outdated plugins represent significant attack vectors for threat actors seeking to exploit known security flaws in the WordPress ecosystem.