A critical security vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-30485, has recently been discovered in the Solwin Infotech Responsive WordPress Slider - Avartan Slider Lite plugin (<= 1.5.3 versions). This vulnerability is classified as an Unauthenticated Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue. With this post, we aim to provide an in-depth analysis of this vulnerability, including code snippets, original references, and details on possible exploits.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability affects the Solwin Infotech Responsive WordPress Slider - Avartan Slider Lite plugin (<= 1.5.3 versions). This plugin allows website administrators to create, customize, and manage sliders with ease. However, it has been found that the plugin exposes the affected site to an Unauthenticated Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability.

The problem lies in the insufficient validation of user-supplied data, which can be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of the victim's browser. The attacker could then perform actions on the victim's behalf, steal sensitive information, or redirect the user to malicious websites.

Here's a basic proof of concept for the vulnerability

http://[victim_site]/wp-content/plugins/avartan-slider-lite/admin/partials/view/slider_search.php?[malicious_payload_here]

In this example, [victim_site] represents the target website, and [malicious_payload_here] should be replaced with a JavaScript payload crafted by the attacker to exploit the vulnerability. Note that the attacker does not need to be authenticated or have any privileges to exploit this flaw.

To exploit CVE-2023-30485

1. Identify a target website running the vulnerable plugin (<= 1.5.3 versions) by using any method such as checking the site's source code or using scanner tools to find plugin installations.

2. Craft a malicious JavaScript payload to be executed in the victim's browser. This payload can be designed to perform various malicious actions, such as:

Performing actions on the victim's behalf (e.g. changing the password of their WordPress account)

3. Send the crafted payload to the victim. This can be done through various social engineering techniques, such as sending phishing emails with links containing the payload or embedding the payload in a malicious website.

4. Once the victim clicks the link or visits the malicious website, the payload will be executed in their browser, triggering the vulnerability and allowing the attacker to take control of the victim's session or perform other unwanted actions.

Mitigation and Remediation

To protect your WordPress site against this vulnerability, Solwin Infotech has released a fixed version of the plugin. It is highly recommended that you update the Avartan Slider Lite plugin to version 1.5.4 or later, which is available at:

- WordPress Plugin Repository
- Solwin Infotech's Official Plugin Page

Additionally, make sure that your WordPress installation and other plugins/themes are kept up-to-date in order to minimize the risk of being exposed to security vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

CVE-2023-30485 highlights the potential risks and consequences of unauthenticated reflected XSS vulnerabilities, particularly within widely-used WordPress plugins such as the Avartan Slider Lite. By being aware of such threats and following recommended security practices, you can help ensure that your website remains secure and protected from potential attackers.

Stay informed about the latest security vulnerabilities and best practices by following trusted security researchers and websites, and always make sure to update your software and security tools to stay protected.

Timeline

Published on: 09/04/2023 12:15:09 UTC
Last modified on: 09/06/2023 22:32:53 UTC