CVE-2023-7086 in SVG Uploads Support Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/15/2025
The SVG Uploads Support WordPress plugin through 2.1.1 does not sanitize uploaded SVG files, which could allow users with a role as low as Author to upload a malicious SVG containing XSS payloads.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2025
The CVE-2023-7086 vulnerability resides within the SVG Uploads Support WordPress plugin version 2.1.1 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk through improper input validation and sanitization of uploaded SVG files. This flaw enables users with minimal privileges, specifically authors, to bypass security controls and upload malicious SVG content that can execute cross-site scripting attacks against other users of the WordPress site. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize SVG file content during the upload process, allowing potentially harmful code to be stored and executed within the WordPress environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an author uploads an SVG file containing malicious JavaScript code within SVG elements such as script tags or event handlers. The SVG format's ability to embed scripting capabilities makes it particularly dangerous for this type of attack, as the malicious code can be executed when the SVG is rendered in web browsers. This creates a persistent threat vector where the attacker's malicious payload remains active even after the initial upload, as long as the SVG file is displayed or accessed within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 Initial Access: Phishing, as it represents a method for delivering malicious payloads through compromised user accounts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple XSS execution, as it can potentially allow attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of other users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. Authors typically have limited capabilities within WordPress, but this vulnerability effectively grants them the ability to compromise the entire site's security posture. The vulnerability also poses significant risks to WordPress administrators and other users who may inadvertently view the malicious SVG files, creating a widespread attack surface. Organizations using WordPress with this plugin version face potential data breaches, service disruption, and reputational damage from successful exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-7086 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the sanitization flaw, as well as implementing additional security controls such as restricting SVG upload capabilities entirely or implementing robust content validation mechanisms. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help detect and block malicious SVG uploads, while regular security audits should verify that no malicious files have been previously uploaded to the system. Administrators should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and monitoring user activities for suspicious upload patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of third-party plugins, particularly those handling user-uploaded content.