CVE-2023-7296 in BigBlueButton Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/16/2024
The BigBlueButton plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the the moderator code and viewer code fields in versions up to, and including, 3.0.0-beta.4 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers with author privileges or higher 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 vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-7296 affects the BigBlueButton plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 3.0.0-beta.4. This represents a critical security flaw that exploits stored cross-site scripting vulnerabilities within the plugin's moderation and viewer code fields. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization mechanisms and insufficient output escaping procedures that fail to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied data before it is stored and subsequently rendered in web pages. Attackers with author privileges or higher can leverage this weakness to inject malicious scripts that persist within the plugin's database, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over time.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or escaping. The attack vector specifically targets the moderator code and viewer code fields within the plugin's configuration interface, which are designed to accept user input for establishing session parameters and access controls. When these fields receive malicious input containing script tags or other executable code, the insufficient sanitization allows the code to be stored in the database and executed whenever the affected pages are rendered to other users. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists even after the initial injection, creating a continuous threat that can affect any user who views pages containing the compromised data.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-7296 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive session information and user data within the WordPress environment. An authenticated attacker with author privileges can craft malicious payloads that may steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information from users who inadvertently interact with compromised pages. The vulnerability's effectiveness relies on social engineering tactics where attackers must convince victims to click on malicious links or visit compromised pages, but once the initial injection occurs, the attack can propagate automatically to all affected users. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations that rely heavily on WordPress for collaborative environments where multiple users interact with shared content and session management.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-7296 should focus on immediate patching of the vulnerable plugin to version 3.0.0 or later, which contains the necessary input validation and output escaping fixes. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits of WordPress plugins, monitoring for unauthorized code modifications, and enforcing strict access controls for WordPress administrative functions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output escaping as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles, specifically addressing the need for robust sanitization of all user-supplied data before it is processed or stored within web applications. Security teams should also consider implementing content security policies and monitoring for suspicious activities related to plugin modifications, as these measures provide additional defense-in-depth layers against similar vulnerabilities in the WordPress ecosystem.