CVE-2023-51689 in Easy Video Player Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/01/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in naa986 Easy Video Player allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Easy Video Player: from n/a through 1.2.2.10.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2024
The CVE-2023-51689 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the naa986 Easy Video Player plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from an unspecified initial version through 1.2.2.10. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a prevalent web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability occurs during the web page generation process where input validation and sanitization mechanisms fail to properly neutralize user-supplied data before it is rendered back to end users. This particular implementation flaw enables stored XSS attacks, meaning that malicious payloads can be permanently stored on the server and subsequently executed whenever affected pages are accessed by unsuspecting users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to leverage the plugin's functionality to inject malicious JavaScript code through input fields that are intended for video player configuration or content management. When users access web pages that utilize the vulnerable Easy Video Player plugin, the stored malicious scripts execute within the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous as the malicious code persists and affects multiple users without requiring repeated exploitation attempts. This type of vulnerability represents a significant threat to web application security and can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting web-based attack vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-51689 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent footholds within affected web environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal user sessions, manipulate web content, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, or redirect victims to phishing sites designed to capture credentials. The vulnerability's presence in the Easy Video Player plugin means that any website utilizing this component becomes a potential target for such attacks, particularly affecting WordPress installations where this plugin is commonly deployed. Organizations running vulnerable versions face risks of data breaches, reputational damage, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's classification as stored XSS also means that the attack surface expands significantly since malicious scripts can be triggered by any user accessing affected pages, regardless of their authentication status.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-51689 should prioritize immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability. System administrators must ensure all instances of the Easy Video Player plugin are upgraded to the latest secure version available from the vendor. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future. Security measures should include regular vulnerability scanning of web applications, monitoring for unauthorized plugin modifications, and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. The ATT&CK framework suggests implementing defensive measures such as Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution sources, which can significantly reduce the impact of successful XSS exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider conducting regular security assessments of their web applications and maintaining up-to-date vulnerability management processes to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of their web infrastructure.