CVE-2023-50833 : Security Advisory and Response

WordPress Colibri Page Builder Plugin <= 1.0.239 is vulnerable to Cross Site Scripting (XSS)

Understanding CVE-2023-50833

WordPress Colibri Page Builder Plugin version 1.0.239 and lower is susceptible to a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability, allowing for Stored XSS attacks.

What is CVE-2023-50833?

The CVE-2023-50833 vulnerability is categorized as CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting'). This flaw in the ExtendThemes Colibri Page Builder plugin could be exploited to execute malicious scripts in a victim's web browser.

The Impact of CVE-2023-50833

The impact of CVE-2023-50833, also known as CAPEC-592 Stored XSS, allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary scripts or code within a user's browser, potentially leading to data theft, session hijacking, or website defacement.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-50833

The vulnerability is measured with a CVSSv3.1 base score of 6.5, indicating a Medium severity issue. The attack complexity is rated as Low, with the need for user interaction.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper input neutralization during web page generation, specifically within the Colibri Page Builder plugin. Attackers can exploit this to perform Stored XSS attacks between versions n/a and 1.0.239.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is Colibri Page Builder by ExtendThemes, with versions ranging from n/a through 1.0.239 identified as vulnerable.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability requires a low level of privileges and user interaction, making it exploitable over a network.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-50833, immediate steps should be taken along with long-term security practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Colibri Page Builder plugin to a version that addresses the XSS vulnerability.
Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update plugins and software to the latest secure versions.
Conduct security audits and code reviews to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Follow security best practices by installing security patches as soon as they are released by the plugin vendor.