CVE-2023-5618 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-5618 was assigned by Wordfence and published on October 20, 2023. The vulnerability affects the Modern Footnotes plugin for WordPress, allowing authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts via Stored Cross-Site Scripting in versions up to and including 1.4.16.

Understanding CVE-2023-5618

This section will provide insights into the nature and impact of CVE-2023-5618.

What is CVE-2023-5618?

The CVE-2023-5618 vulnerability pertains to Stored Cross-Site Scripting in the Modern Footnotes WordPress plugin. It occurs due to inadequate input sanitization and output escaping in user-supplied attributes, enabling attackers with contributor-level permissions and above to insert malicious web scripts into pages.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5618

The impact of CVE-2023-5618 is significant as it allows authenticated attackers to carry out malicious activities such as injecting arbitrary web scripts into pages, which can be executed whenever a user visits the compromised page.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5618

In this section, we will delve into specific technical details of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Modern Footnotes plugin for WordPress arises from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes, leading to Stored Cross-Site Scripting.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is "Modern Footnotes" by prismtechstudios, with versions up to and including 1.4.16 being vulnerable to this exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

Authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions and above can leverage this vulnerability to inject and execute arbitrary web scripts in pages, posing a security risk to users accessing the compromised content.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here are some important steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2023-5618.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Modern Footnotes plugin to the latest version to eliminate the vulnerability.
Monitor user-supplied attributes for any suspicious activity or scripts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict input validation and output escaping mechanisms in plugins to prevent similar vulnerabilities.
Regularly review and update security practices to stay ahead of potential threats.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates released by plugin developers to promptly address any identified security loopholes and protect your WordPress site from exploitation.