CVE-2023-51541 in Stock Ticker Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/29/2023
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Aleksandar Urošević Stock Ticker allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Stock Ticker: from n/a through 3.23.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2024
The CVE-2023-51541 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Stock Ticker plugin developed by Aleksandar Urošević, specifically affecting versions through 3.23.4. This stored cross-site scripting vulnerability arises from inadequate input sanitization during web page generation processes, creating a persistent security risk that can compromise user sessions and execute malicious code within the context of affected websites. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic example of how insufficient data validation can lead to widespread client-side exploitation. The issue manifests when user-provided data is stored in the plugin's database and subsequently reflected back to other users without proper sanitization, creating a persistent attack vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input that gets stored within the plugin's data storage mechanisms and then executed when other users view the affected web pages. This stored nature of the XSS vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists even after the initial injection, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over extended periods. The vulnerability impacts the plugin's web page generation functionality where user inputs are not properly escaped or filtered before being rendered back to users, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK framework as T1531 - Account Access Token, though more specifically it aligns with T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it enables execution of malicious javascript code through user input manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-51541 extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform more sophisticated attacks including credential theft, redirection to malicious sites, and potential privilege escalation within the affected web applications. When users interact with web pages containing the stored malicious script, their browsers execute the injected code, potentially allowing attackers to steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information. The vulnerability affects not only individual user experiences but can also compromise entire website security postures, particularly in environments where the plugin is widely used or integrated into critical business applications. Organizations running affected versions of the Stock Ticker plugin face significant risk of data breaches, as the stored XSS vulnerability can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code and potentially gain unauthorized access to backend systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-51541 should prioritize immediate version updates to the Stock Ticker plugin, as the vulnerability is resolved in versions beyond 3.23.4. Security administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious data from being stored and executed, ensuring that all user-provided content undergoes proper sanitization before database storage. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against XSS attacks. The implementation of proper security headers including Content Security Policy (CSP) can significantly reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities by preventing execution of unauthorized scripts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other plugins and applications, while security awareness training for developers can help prevent future occurrences of improper input handling. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring solutions to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts, as the stored nature of the vulnerability means that malicious payloads can remain active for extended periods without detection.