CVE-2023-0095 : What You Need to Know

This CVE record pertains to a vulnerability in the Page View Count WordPress plugin before version 2.6.1, allowing contributors and higher roles to execute Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Understanding CVE-2023-0095

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-0095, highlighting its nature and potential impact.

What is CVE-2023-0095?

The CVE-2023-0095 vulnerability is found in the Page View Count WordPress plugin versions prior to 2.6.1. It arises from a lack of validation and escaping of certain block options, enabling users with contributor privileges and above to conduct Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks within the context of affected pages or posts.

The Impact of CVE-2023-0095

The vulnerability poses a significant security risk as it allows malicious contributors and higher-ranking users to inject harmful scripts into the plugin's output on WordPress pages or posts. This could result in unauthorized access, data theft, or other detrimental consequences for website owners and visitors.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-0095

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-0095, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in the Page View Count plugin lies in its failure to properly validate and escape specific block options before displaying them in page or post content. This oversight opens the door for contributors and above to insert malicious scripts, leading to Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The impacted system is the Page View Count WordPress plugin before version 2.6.1. Users running versions earlier than 2.6.1 are at risk of exploitation by unauthorized individuals with contributor-level access or higher.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the lack of input validation and escaping in the plugin, attackers with contributor privileges can inject malicious scripts into the plugin's output on WordPress pages or posts. This could result in the execution of harmful actions within the context of the affected website.

Mitigation and Prevention

Mitigation strategies play a crucial role in safeguarding systems against potential threats. Here, we outline immediate steps, long-term security practices, and the importance of timely patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators are advised to update the Page View Count plugin to version 2.6.1 or later to mitigate the vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring user roles and permissions to restrict contributor-level access can help prevent unauthorized exploitation of the plugin.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, conducting regular security audits, and staying informed about plugin updates and security advisories can bolster long-term security posture and reduce the risk of similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Developers should prioritize timely installation of security patches and updates provided by plugin developers. Keeping software components updated helps to address known vulnerabilities and enhance the overall security resilience of WordPress websites.