CVE-2023-41241 presents a significant vulnerability known as Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) found in the popular WordPress Ecommerce plugin called SureCart, which is used for creating fast online stores. This vulnerability impacts versions 2.5. and below of the plugin. Attackers who exploit this vulnerability can perform various malicious actions on the WordPress site, thereby compromising both user and administrative accounts.
Exploit Details
The vulnerability is the result of improper sanitization of user-input data in the SureCart plugin. Due to this security flaw, the attacker can inject malicious JavaScript code into the database by exploiting various input fields within the plugin. Once an unsuspecting admin views the data, the code will execute in their browser, potentially granting the attackers access to the admin's account and control over the affected WordPress site.
To demonstrate the vulnerability, let's consider this code snippet
$new_data = $_POST['new_data'];
$updated_data = update_option('surecart_settings', $new_data);
In this example, the plugin accepts user input directly from the $_POST variable without proper sanitization. As a result, the attacker can inject a harmful payload (e.g., <script>alert('XSS')</script>) into the input field, which will then be stored in the site's database.
The attacker creates a malicious payload, for example
<script>alert('XSS')</script>
2. The attacker logs in to a WordPress account with admin privileges and navigates to the SureCart plugin settings page.
3. The attacker injects the malicious payload into an input field vulnerable to XSS in the plugin settings.
4. When another admin or user browses to the settings page, the injected JavaScript code will execute in their browser. This code could steal login credentials or control the user's account, depending on the attacker's intent.
For more information about the vulnerability and its technical details, consider these references
- MITRE's CVE-2023-41241 Entry
- NVD's CVE-2023-41241 Analysis
- WordPress Plugin Repository for SureCart
Mitigation
Right now, there is no patched version available for the SureCart plugin. It is advisable to deactivate and remove the plugin from your WordPress site until the developers release an update that addresses the vulnerability. Meanwhile, you should also consider using alternative WordPress ecommerce plugins like WooCommerce or Easy Digital Downloads to maintain the functionality of your online store.
Stay informed and proactive in maintaining your WordPress site's security. Regularly check for updates and patches to keep your plugins and themes up-to-date, preventing potential attackers from exploiting known vulnerabilities.
If you're a developer, remember to follow best practices for secure coding, which includes thorough input sanitization and validation before incorporating user-supplied data into your application.
Timeline
Published on: 09/27/2023 15:19:28 UTC
Last modified on: 09/28/2023 13:48:59 UTC