CVE-2023-7015 in File Manager Pro Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/13/2024
The File Manager Pro plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the 'tb' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 8.3.4 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2025
The File Manager Pro plugin for WordPress represents a critical security vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-7015, which manifests as a reflected cross-site scripting flaw in versions up to and including 8.3.4. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of the 'tb' parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts into web pages that are subsequently executed when users interact with compromised content. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization mechanisms and insufficient output escaping protocols that fail to properly validate or encode user-supplied data before it is processed and rendered within the web application's response. The vulnerability affects unauthenticated attackers who can exploit this weakness without requiring any prior access credentials or privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone who can influence the parameters passed to the vulnerable plugin endpoint.
The operational impact of this reflected XSS vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious websites. When a user clicks on a specially crafted link containing the malicious payload, the script executes within the context of their browser session, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive information, modify user data, or perform actions on behalf of the victim. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1531 which focuses on credential access through manipulation of web applications. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious script is reflected back to the user from the web application's response, making it particularly effective as it requires no server-side storage of malicious content.
The security implications of this vulnerability compound due to the widespread use of WordPress plugins and the trust users place in legitimate web applications. Attackers can craft deceptive links that appear to be legitimate navigation paths, tricking users into executing malicious scripts without their knowledge. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, compromised websites, or social engineering tactics. Organizations using File Manager Pro plugin versions up to 8.3.4 face significant risk of unauthorized access to their file management systems and potential data breaches. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be leveraged by attackers with no prior access to the system, potentially leading to unauthorized file access, modification, or deletion operations. System administrators should immediately implement mitigation strategies including plugin updates, input validation enhancements, and monitoring for suspicious user activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-7015 should prioritize immediate plugin version updates to the latest secure release which addresses the reflected XSS vulnerability through proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Network administrators should implement web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities and establish monitoring procedures to identify suspicious traffic patterns associated with potential exploitation attempts. Input validation should be strengthened to reject or sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly parameters like 'tb' that are directly used in page rendering. Output escaping mechanisms must be enhanced to ensure that any user-provided content is properly encoded before being displayed in web pages, preventing script execution in browser contexts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all WordPress installations and related plugins to identify similar weaknesses that may exist in other components of their web infrastructure. Regular security updates and patch management procedures should be established to ensure timely remediation of identified vulnerabilities, with particular attention to third-party plugins that may introduce security risks to the overall system architecture.