CVE-2023-7030 in Collapse-O-Matic Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/02/2024
The Collapse-O-Matic plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's 'expand' shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 1.8.5.5 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on the 'tag' user supplied attribute. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers with contributor-level and above permissions to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2025
The Collapse-O-Matic plugin for WordPress represents a widely used functionality enhancement that allows users to create collapsible content sections on their websites. This plugin has been identified as containing a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects all versions up to and including 1.8.5.5. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's expand shortcode implementation, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by attackers with relatively low privileges.
The technical flaw exists specifically within the handling of the 'tag' attribute in the plugin's 'expand' shortcode functionality. When users input data into this attribute, the plugin fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before rendering it in the output HTML. This insufficient validation creates a stored XSS vector where malicious scripts can be permanently embedded within the plugin's shortcode parameters. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only contributor-level permissions or higher to exploit, meaning that users who have been granted content management capabilities can potentially compromise the entire website.
Authenticated attackers with contributor privileges or above can leverage this vulnerability by injecting malicious JavaScript code through the 'tag' attribute of the expand shortcode. When other users access pages containing the compromised shortcode, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further compromise of the WordPress installation. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious code persists even after the initial injection, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over extended periods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including credential theft, defacement of content, and establishment of backdoors within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for the initial compromise phase. Organizations using this plugin are at risk of having their websites compromised, potentially leading to reputation damage, data breaches, and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within their WordPress installations.
Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of the Collapse-O-Matic plugin where this vulnerability has been patched, as the fix typically involves proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring for suspicious shortcode usage patterns and consider implementing content security policies to mitigate potential impact if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications and highlights how even seemingly benign functionality can become a significant security risk when proper sanitization measures are not implemented.