CVE-2023-6166 in Quiz Maker Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/26/2023
The Quiz Maker WordPress plugin before 6.4.9.5 does not escape generated URLs before outputting them in attributes, leading to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2024
The CVE-2023-6166 vulnerability affects the Quiz Maker WordPress plugin version 6.4.9.4 and earlier, presenting a critical reflected cross-site scripting risk that can compromise user sessions and enable malicious code execution. This vulnerability stems from insufficient output escaping of generated URLs within the plugin's codebase, specifically when these URLs are rendered in HTML attributes. The flaw creates an entry point for attackers to inject malicious scripts that can be executed in the context of a victim's browser when they interact with specially crafted links or forms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of URL generation and output rendering processes. When the plugin generates dynamic URLs for quiz elements, navigation controls, or administrative interfaces, it fails to properly escape these values before incorporating them into HTML attributes such as href, src, or onclick handlers. This creates a classic reflected XSS scenario where malicious payloads are injected through user-controllable input parameters that are then reflected back in the plugin's output without proper sanitization. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through various attack vectors including quiz result pages, admin interfaces, or user-generated content submission forms.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-6166 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive data, or redirect users to malicious websites. An attacker could craft a URL containing malicious JavaScript code that would be executed when a victim clicks on a link or navigates through the quiz interface. This could result in unauthorized access to user accounts, data exfiltration, or the deployment of additional malware through the compromised WordPress installation. The vulnerability affects not only end users but also administrators who may be tricked into clicking malicious links within the plugin's interface, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading the Quiz Maker plugin to version 6.4.9.5 or later, which includes proper output escaping mechanisms for generated URLs. Security teams should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script injection patterns in HTTP requests. Additionally, regular security audits of WordPress plugins should include verification of output escaping practices and adherence to secure coding standards. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and follows attack patterns described in the ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for script injection techniques, emphasizing the need for comprehensive input validation and output encoding across all user-controllable data flows within web applications.