Introduction: All WordPress users who utilize the Order Tracking Pro plugin should be aware of a critical vulnerability (identified as CVE-2023-4471) that exposes their websites to reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. This vulnerability affects versions up to and including 3.3.6 of the plugin. In this post, we will dive into the details surrounding this vulnerability, including a code snippet demonstrating the issue and links to original references.

Vulnerability Details: The Order Tracking Pro plugin is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. Specifically, the 'start_date' and 'end_date' parameters used within the plugin do not properly sanitize user input, making it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts into pages. These malicious scripts execute when a user inadvertently clicks on a link or takes some other action, putting user data and website security at risk.

Code Snippet: Here's a code snippet demonstrating the vulnerability in the Order Tracking Pro plugin

// Vulnerable code in Order Tracking Pro plugin (versions up to and including 3.3.6)
$start_date = $_GET['start_date'];
$end_date = $_GET['end_date'];

// No input sanitization or output escaping is present, leading to potential XSS attacks
echo "Orders between $start_date and $end_date";

Exploit Details: To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would create a malicious link containing the injected script, such as:

<a href="https://www.example.com/order-tracking-page?start_date=<script>alert('XSS')</script>&end_date=2023-12-31">Track Your Order</a>

If a user clicks on this link, the attacker's script (in this example, a simple JavaScript alert box displaying 'XSS') will execute, potentially leading to the theft of sensitive information, session hijacking, or other malicious actions.

Original References: For more information on this vulnerability, you can refer to the following original references:

1. The CVE entry for this vulnerability: CVE-2023-4471
2. The National Vulnerability Database (NVD) provides further details on the vulnerability and its impact.
3. The WordPress plugin repository page for Order Tracking Pro has information on the latest version of the plugin, including any updates addressing this vulnerability.

Mitigation and Conclusion: All WordPress users who are currently using the Order Tracking Pro plugin should update to the latest version to prevent potential attacks leveraging this reflected XSS vulnerability. Additionally, it is crucial to always keep your plugins and themes up-to-date to minimize the risk of security issues on your website.

If you are a developer, it's essential to follow proper coding practices, including input sanitization and output escaping, to avoid introducing vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-4471 in the future. Stay informed about the latest security news and vulnerabilities to protect your website and its users from potential threats.

Timeline

Published on: 08/31/2023 06:15:11 UTC
Last modified on: 11/07/2023 04:22:39 UTC