CVE-2023-4648 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-4648 pertains to a vulnerability found in the WP Customer Reviews plugin for WordPress, allowing for Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Understanding CVE-2023-4648

The WP Customer Reviews plugin for WordPress is susceptible to Stored Cross-Site Scripting through admin settings in versions up to and including 3.6.6. Attackers, authenticated with administrator-level permissions or higher, can inject malicious web scripts that execute when a user visits the compromised page. This vulnerability is specific to multi-site installations and instances where unfiltered_html has been disabled.

What is CVE-2023-4648?

CVE-2023-4648 is a security flaw in the WP Customer Reviews plugin for WordPress that enables attackers to execute Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks by injecting malicious scripts via admin settings.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4648

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows authenticated attackers with elevated privileges to inject arbitrary web scripts that can harm unsuspecting users visiting the affected pages.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4648

This section provides more detailed information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the WP Customer Reviews plugin arises from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in versions up to and including 3.6.6, facilitating Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Systems running WP Customer Reviews plugin versions up to and including 3.6.6 are affected by this vulnerability. Specifically, multi-site installations and setups where unfiltered_html has been disabled are at risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with administrator-level permissions or higher can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious web scripts via the plugin's admin settings, leading to Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Mitigating the risks associated with CVE-2023-4648 involves taking immediate steps and adopting long-term security practices to enhance protection.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the WP Customer Reviews plugin to the latest secure version.
Consider limiting admin access to trusted users only to minimize the risk of exploitation.
Regularly monitor for unauthorized changes or unusual activities on the WordPress site.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement a web application firewall (WAF) to block malicious traffic and scripts.
Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans of WordPress plugins and themes.
Educate administrators and users about safe practices to prevent social engineering attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all software, including plugins and themes, is regularly updated to the latest secure versions to patch known vulnerabilities and maintain a secure WordPress environment.