CVE-2023-6988 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-6988 involves a vulnerability in the Colibri Page Builder plugin for WordPress, allowing authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions or above to execute arbitrary web scripts through a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack. The vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 1.0.239 due to inadequate input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes.

Understanding CVE-2023-6988

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2023-6988 vulnerability, its impacts, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-6988?

CVE-2023-6988 is a vulnerability found in the Colibri Page Builder plugin for WordPress, enabling attackers with specific permissions to inject malicious web scripts that execute when users access affected pages.

The Impact of CVE-2023-6988

The impact of this vulnerability lies in the ability for authenticated attackers to conduct Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks, potentially leading to unauthorized script execution and manipulation of user interactions on the affected WordPress site.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-6988

This section provides insights into the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Colibri Page Builder arises from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in the extend_builder_render_js shortcode, which allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into pages.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects all versions of the Colibri Page Builder plugin up to and including 1.0.239. Users with these versions are at risk of exploitation by authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with the necessary permissions can leverage the vulnerability to inject arbitrary web scripts using the extend_builder_render_js shortcode in pages, leading to the execution of malicious scripts on user visits.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understanding how to mitigate and prevent CVE-2023-6988 is crucial for maintaining the security of WordPress sites utilizing the Colibri Page Builder plugin.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators are advised to update the Colibri Page Builder plugin to a patched version beyond 1.0.239 to mitigate the vulnerability. Additionally, reviewing and monitoring user permissions to limit access can reduce the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing best security practices such as regular security audits, employing secure coding practices, and staying informed about plugin updates and security advisories can enhance the overall security posture of WordPress sites.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying security patches and updates for plugins, themes, and WordPress core is essential to address known vulnerabilities and protect sites from potential exploitation, including CVE-2023-6988.