CVE-2023-6488 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-6488 involves a vulnerability found in the WP Shortcodes Plugin — Shortcodes Ultimate for WordPress. The vulnerability allows for Stored Cross-Site Scripting through certain shortcodes due to inadequate input sanitization and output escaping. Authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher can exploit this vulnerability to inject malicious scripts into pages, which get executed when accessed by users.

Understanding CVE-2023-6488

This section delves into the key aspects of CVE-2023-6488, including its description, impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-6488?

CVE-2023-6488 is a vulnerability in the WP Shortcodes Plugin — Shortcodes Ultimate for WordPress that enables stored cross-site scripting attacks via specific shortcodes. The flaw arises from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-provided attributes.

The Impact of CVE-2023-6488

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows authenticated attackers to inject and execute malicious scripts on pages. This can lead to various security risks, such as data theft, unauthorized access, and potential compromise of the affected WordPress websites.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-6488

In this section, we will explore the technical details of CVE-2023-6488, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The WP Shortcodes Plugin — Shortcodes Ultimate is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the 'su_button', 'su_members', and 'su_tabs' shortcodes in versions up to 7.0.0. Attackers with contributor-level permissions and above can exploit this flaw to inject arbitrary web scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts all versions of the WP Shortcodes Plugin — Shortcodes Ultimate up to and including version 7.0.0. Users of these versions are at risk of falling victim to stored cross-site scripting attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

Authenticated attackers leverage the inadequate input sanitization and output escaping in the plugin's shortcodes to insert malicious scripts into pages. When users access these pages, the injected scripts execute, posing a threat to the website's security.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-6488 and enhance the security of WordPress websites using the WP Shortcodes Plugin — Shortcodes Ultimate, specific mitigation and prevention measures should be implemented.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators should immediately update the WP Shortcodes Plugin — Shortcodes Ultimate to a secure version beyond 7.0.0. Additionally, monitoring for any suspicious activities and ensuring strong user permissions can help mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Establishing robust input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase can prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future. Regular security audits and training for users on identifying and reporting security issues are also essential for long-term security.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying software patches and updates is crucial to ensuring the security of WordPress plugins. Users should stay informed about security patches released by the plugin developer and promptly apply them to prevent potential exploits.

By following these mitigation strategies, WordPress website owners can strengthen their defenses against CVE-2023-6488 and similar vulnerabilities, safeguarding their websites and users from potential security risks.