CVE-2023-5229 in E2Pdf Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/31/2023
The E2Pdf WordPress plugin before 1.20.20 does not sanitize and escape some of its settings, which could allow high privilege users to perform Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5229 affects the E2Pdf WordPress plugin version 1.20.20 and earlier, representing a critical cross-site scripting weakness that undermines the security posture of affected WordPress installations. This flaw specifically targets the plugin's handling of user settings where insufficient sanitization and escaping mechanisms leave malicious code vulnerable to execution within the browser context of authenticated users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects high privilege users who typically possess elevated capabilities within the WordPress environment, yet the flaw allows them to execute XSS payloads even when the unfiltered_html capability has been properly restricted.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the plugin's administrative settings interface where user-supplied data flows directly into output without proper sanitization. This failure to properly escape and sanitize user-controllable parameters creates an environment where malicious scripts can be injected and subsequently executed when other users view the affected pages. The vulnerability manifests when high privilege users manipulate plugin settings that are then rendered in the browser without appropriate security measures, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that can persist and execute against other users who access the affected administrative interfaces.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly increases the attack surface for WordPress installations using the affected plugin, as it provides a vector for privilege escalation and persistent malicious code execution. The impact extends beyond simple XSS attacks since high privilege users can leverage this vulnerability to execute code with elevated permissions, potentially leading to full compromise of the WordPress installation. Attackers can craft malicious scripts that exploit the vulnerability to steal session cookies, modify content, redirect users to malicious sites, or even establish persistent backdoors within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability's persistence is particularly dangerous as it can remain active until the plugin is updated or the malicious code is manually removed from the settings.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as a fundamental web application security weakness, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1548.002 related to abuse of credentials for privilege escalation. Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to the patched version 1.20.20 or later, reviewing plugin settings for any malicious code injection, and monitoring for suspicious activity in administrative interfaces. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict content security policies, regularly auditing plugin configurations, and ensuring that only necessary users have access to plugin settings that could potentially introduce XSS vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also involve comprehensive security testing of all plugin components to identify similar sanitization gaps that could expose the system to similar threats.