CVE-2023-6982 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the WordPress plugin 'Display custom fields in the frontend – Post and User Profile Fields' developed by josevega. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.2.1. The root cause is insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-supplied input within the plugin's shortcode and postmeta handling mechanisms. Specifically, authenticated users with contributor-level permissions or higher can inject arbitrary JavaScript code into posts or user profiles. Because the malicious script is stored persistently in the database, it executes every time any user accesses the compromised page, leading to potential session hijacking, privilege escalation, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79, which relates to improper neutralization of input during web page generation. Notably, exploitation requires authentication at a contributor level or above, which limits the attack surface to users who have some level of trusted access to the WordPress backend. There are no known public exploits in the wild as of the publication date (February 5, 2024), and no official patches have been released yet. The plugin is widely used in WordPress environments to display custom fields on the frontend, making it a relevant target for attackers aiming to compromise websites that rely on this functionality. The vulnerability's medium severity rating reflects the balance between the impact of stored XSS and the requirement for authenticated access to exploit it.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk primarily to websites and web applications running WordPress with the affected plugin installed. Stored XSS can lead to theft of user credentials, session tokens, or other sensitive information, enabling attackers to impersonate users or administrators. This can result in unauthorized access, data breaches, defacement, or distribution of malware to site visitors. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, government, education, and media, which often use WordPress for content management, may face reputational damage and regulatory consequences under GDPR if personal data is compromised. The requirement for contributor-level access reduces the likelihood of external attackers exploiting this vulnerability directly; however, insider threats or compromised user accounts can facilitate exploitation. Additionally, the persistent nature of stored XSS means that even casual visitors to the affected site can be impacted, broadening the scope of potential harm. The absence of a patch increases the urgency for mitigation, especially for organizations with multiple contributors or less stringent access controls. Given the widespread use of WordPress in Europe and the popularity of plugins that extend its functionality, this vulnerability could affect a substantial number of sites, particularly those that do not regularly audit or update their plugins.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting contributor-level permissions to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of malicious input injection. 2. Implement strict input validation and sanitization at the application level, possibly using Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) that can detect and block common XSS payloads targeting the plugin's shortcode and postmeta fields. 3. Disable or remove the 'Display custom fields in the frontend – Post and User Profile Fields' plugin if it is not essential, or replace it with alternative plugins that have a stronger security track record. 4. Monitor logs and user activity for unusual behavior from contributor accounts, including unexpected content changes or script injections. 5. Educate content contributors about the risks of injecting untrusted code and enforce secure content creation policies. 6. Regularly back up website data to enable quick restoration in case of compromise. 7. Stay informed about updates from the plugin vendor and apply patches promptly once available. 8. Consider deploying Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts on the website. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control tightening, proactive monitoring, and layered defenses tailored to the specific plugin and vulnerability characteristics.