CVE-2023-6594 in Button Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/09/2024
The WordPress Button Plugin MaxButtons plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via admin settings in all versions up to, and including, 9.7.4 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with administrator-level permissions and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page. This only affects multi-site installations and installations where unfiltered_html has been disabled. Administrators can give button creation privileges to users with lower levels (contributor+) which would allow those lower-privileged users to carry out attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-6594 affects the MaxButtons plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 9.7.4. This represents a critical security flaw that exploits stored cross-site scripting vulnerabilities within the plugin's administrative settings interface. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization and insufficient output escaping mechanisms that fail to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before it is stored and subsequently rendered in web pages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only administrator-level privileges or equivalent access to exploit, making it accessible to attackers who have already gained administrative control over a WordPress installation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the plugin's administrative settings where user input is not adequately sanitized before being stored in the database. When administrators or users with sufficient privileges create or modify button elements through the MaxButtons interface, the input data passes through validation processes that are insufficient to prevent malicious script injection. This stored data is then served back to users when they access pages containing the affected buttons, executing the malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability specifically impacts multi-site WordPress installations where the unfiltered_html capability has been disabled, creating a scenario where attackers can leverage their elevated privileges to inject persistent malicious content that executes whenever affected pages are loaded.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including credential theft, session hijacking, data exfiltration, and further privilege escalation within the compromised WordPress environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited by users with contributor-level privileges when administrators have granted button creation permissions to lower-privileged users, effectively broadening the attack surface. This scenario creates a significant risk for organizations that have implemented role-based access controls but have inadvertently granted excessive permissions to users who can create and modify content through the MaxButtons plugin.
The attack vector for this vulnerability aligns with the CWE-79 principle of cross-site scripting flaws, specifically targeting stored XSS vulnerabilities that allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence through web application exploitation, potentially enabling attackers to maintain access to compromised systems. Organizations should note that this vulnerability is particularly relevant in environments where WordPress is used for content management with multiple user roles and where administrators have granted broader permissions to content creators. The security implications extend to potential data breaches, service disruption, and the compromise of sensitive information stored within the WordPress environment.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate plugin updates to versions that address the input sanitization and output escaping deficiencies, along with comprehensive review of user permissions and role assignments within WordPress installations. Administrators should implement strict input validation measures and ensure that the unfiltered_html capability is properly configured according to security best practices. Regular security audits of installed plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, while network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous script execution patterns. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing content security policies and regular security training for administrators to prevent unauthorized privilege assignments that could enable exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or components of the WordPress ecosystem.