Introduction:
The EasyRotator for WordPress plugin is a popular extension that helps users build responsive sliders in their WordPress site. However, it has recently been found to contain a security vulnerability that could expose users to a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack. This vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-5742, affects all versions of the plugin up to and including version 1..14.
The following long-read post will provide an overview of the CVE-2023-5742 vulnerability, a code snippet demonstrating how the vulnerability can be exploited, as well as links to original references and further details on the exploit.
Vulnerability Overview
CVE-2023-5742 is a Stored XSS vulnerability in the EasyRotator for WordPress plugin, which is caused by insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user-supplied attributes in the plugin's 'easyrotator' shortcode. This issue allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level permissions or higher to inject malicious web scripts into the pages containing the 'easyrotator' shortcode. These scripts will be executed whenever a user accesses an affected page.
Exploit Details:
An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by injecting a malicious script into the 'easyrotator' shortcode while editing a post or page. The unsanitized input would be saved into the WordPress database, and when a user accesses the page containing the injected shortcode, the malicious script would be executed.
For example, an attacker with contributor-level permissions could inject the following malicious script:
[easyrotator id="123" ALIGN="<img src=X onerror='alert("Attack here!")'>
`
When a user visits the page containing the above shortcode, the malicious script within the ALIGN attribute would be executed, potentially compromising the user's data and security.
Original References:
The vulnerability was first reported by security researcher [REPORTER NAME] on [REPORT DATE]. The official CVE entry can be found at the following link:
- https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2023-5742
Additionally, the plugin's developers have been made aware of this vulnerability, and a fix has been released in version 1..15:
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/easyrotator-for-wordpress/#developers
Mitigation and Recommendations
To protect your WordPress site from this vulnerability, it is recommended to update the EasyRotator for WordPress plugin to the latest version (1..15 or later). This can be done by visiting the plugin's update page in the WordPress dashboard and following the on-screen instructions.
As a general security practice, it is also essential to regularly update all themes, plugins, and WordPress core files to their latest versions, as these updates often include security patches and improvements.
Conclusion
CVE-2023-5742 highlights the importance of proper input sanitization and output escaping in web applications. The vulnerability in the EasyRotator for WordPress plugin demonstrates how a simple oversight can lead to compromises in user data and security. Updating the plugin to the latest version will help protect your site from this threat, but it is always essential to stay vigilant in protecting your site from various security risks.
Timeline
Published on: 11/22/2023 16:15:14 UTC
Last modified on: 11/27/2023 21:40:48 UTC