CVE-2023-2518 Scanner

The WordPress Easy Forms for Mailchimp Plugin is a widely used tool that enables website administrators to seamlessly integrate Mailchimp forms into their WordPress websites. It is developed by Yikes Inc. and is commonly used for collecting user email addresses, managing subscriber lists, and automating email marketing campaigns. The plugin simplifies the process of embedding Mailchimp forms without requiring technical expertise. It is popular among bloggers, e-commerce store owners, and businesses aiming to grow their email marketing strategies. Due to its extensive use, security vulnerabilities in the plugin can impact a large number of websites. Administrators must ensure they use updated versions to avoid security risks.

The vulnerability found in the WordPress Easy Forms for Mailchimp Plugin is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) flaw. It allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of an administrator’s browser session. This occurs because the plugin does not properly sanitize and escape the ‘sql_error’ parameter before outputting it on the page when the debug option is enabled. A successful attack could lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or phishing attacks. The vulnerability affects plugin versions below 6.8.9. Website administrators are advised to update their installations to the latest version to mitigate the risk.

The XSS vulnerability exists due to improper input sanitization and escaping in the plugin’s handling of the ‘sql_error’ parameter. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing a JavaScript payload and tricks an administrator into clicking it, the script gets executed within their browser. The attack specifically targets the WordPress admin panel through the ‘admin.php’ page. Since the plugin fails to properly encode user-supplied data, the payload is injected and executed upon page load. This can be leveraged to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of the administrator.

Exploitation of this vulnerability could have severe consequences, including session hijacking, allowing attackers to take control of an administrator’s session. It could lead to unauthorized changes in website settings, installation of malicious plugins, or theft of sensitive information. Attackers might also use this vulnerability to execute phishing campaigns by injecting deceptive login forms. If left unpatched, affected websites could serve as a launchpad for further attacks on visitors.

REFERENCES

• https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/ca120255-2c50-4906-97f3-ea660486db4c
• https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-2518