CVE-2023-25490 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2023-25490 refers to a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in the WordPress plugin called "Archivist – Custom Archive Templates" with versions equal to or less than 1.7.4. This vulnerability allows an attacker with admin privileges to store malicious scripts in the plugin, posing a risk of executing unauthorized actions on the website.

Understanding CVE-2023-25490

This section will delve into the details of the CVE-2023-25490 vulnerability, its impact, technical description, affected systems, and the mechanisms of exploitation.

What is CVE-2023-25490?

The CVE-2023-25490 vulnerability is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue present in the "Archivist – Custom Archive Templates" WordPress plugin version 1.7.4 and below. It allows an authenticated attacker with admin privileges to inject malicious scripts into the plugin, leading to potential unauthorized access and actions on the website.

The Impact of CVE-2023-25490

The impact of this vulnerability, identified as CAPEC-592 Stored XSS, lies in the potential for an attacker to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of the affected plugin. This can result in unauthorized access, data exfiltration, or other malicious activities on the targeted WordPress site.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-25490

In this section, we will explore specific technical aspects of CVE-2023-25490, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker with admin privileges to store malicious XSS scripts within the "Archivist – Custom Archive Templates" plugin versions equal to or less than 1.7.4. This can lead to the execution of unauthorized actions on the affected website.

Affected Systems and Versions

The "Archivist – Custom Archive Templates" plugin versions 1.7.4 and below are susceptible to this XSS vulnerability. Websites using these versions are at risk of exploitation by attackers with admin-level access.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker needs to be authenticated as an admin user on a WordPress site using the affected plugin version 1.7.4 or lower. By injecting malicious scripts through the plugin interface, the attacker can manipulate the website's behavior and potentially compromise its security.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-25490, immediate steps should be taken to secure the affected systems and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators are advised to update the "Archivist – Custom Archive Templates" plugin to version 1.7.5 or higher to address the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring for any unauthorized changes or activities on the website is crucial to detect and prevent possible attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, conducting regular security audits, and educating users on safe administration practices can help enhance the overall security posture of WordPress websites and mitigate the risk of XSS vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating plugins, themes, and the WordPress core to the latest versions is essential for staying protected against known vulnerabilities. Continuous monitoring of security advisories and promptly applying patches can help prevent exploitation of identified security flaws.