CVE-2023-2472 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE, assigned by WPScan, pertains to a security vulnerability found in the Newsletter, SMTP, Email marketing, and Subscribe forms by Sendinblue WordPress plugin before version 3.1.61, which could lead to a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack.

Understanding CVE-2023-2472

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-2472, shedding light on what the vulnerability entails and its potential impact.

What is CVE-2023-2472?

The CVE-2023-2472 vulnerability is a result of the Newsletter, SMTP, Email marketing, and Subscribe forms by Sendinblue WordPress plugin not properly sanitizing and escaping a parameter before displaying it in the admin dashboard. This oversight occurs when the WPML plugin is active and configured, leaving room for a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting attack. Such an exploit could be leveraged against high privilege users like admins, posing a significant security risk.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2472

The impact of CVE-2023-2472 is substantial, as it opens the door for malicious actors to execute scripts within the context of a user's session. This could potentially lead to unauthorized actions, data theft, and further compromise of the affected WordPress site.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2472

Exploring the technical aspects of CVE-2023-2472 provides a deeper understanding of the vulnerability and its implications.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation within the affected WordPress plugin, enabling attackers to inject and execute malicious scripts in the admin dashboard.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects versions of the Newsletter, SMTP, Email marketing, and Subscribe forms by Sendinblue plugin prior to version 3.1.61 when the WPML plugin is active and configured.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the lack of proper sanitization, threat actors can craft malicious payloads that, when executed, result in unauthorized script execution within the application context.

Mitigation and Prevention

Addressing CVE-2023-2472 requires immediate action to mitigate the associated risks and safeguard affected systems from potential exploits.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators are advised to update the Newsletter, SMTP, Email marketing, and Subscribe forms by Sendinblue plugin to version 3.1.61 or higher to address the vulnerability. Additionally, implementing security best practices such as input validation and output encoding can help prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should promote proactive security measures, including regular security assessments, code reviews, and employee training to enhance their overall cybersecurity posture.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying patches and updates released by software vendors is crucial in mitigating known vulnerabilities and strengthening the resilience of systems against potential exploits. Stay vigilant for security advisories and promptly implement recommended patches to fortify your WordPress installations against emerging threats.