CVE-2023-40000
Published: 16 April 2024
Summary
CVE-2023-40000 is a high-severity Cross-site Scripting (CWE-79) vulnerability in Litespeedtech Litespeed Cache. Its CVSS base score is 8.3 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 0.8% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis
LiteSpeed Cache, a WordPress caching plugin, contains a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability (CWE-79) caused by improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The flaw affects all versions through 5.7 and carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.3, reflecting network-accessible attack vectors that require no authentication or user interaction while impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability under changed scope.
An unauthenticated attacker can inject persistent malicious scripts that execute site-wide for any visitor or administrator who views the affected pages, enabling theft of session tokens, administrative actions, or further compromise of the WordPress installation. The issue is described by PatchStack as an unauthenticated site-wide stored XSS flaw.
The current EPSS score of 0.8069, with a recorded peak of 0.8276, indicates substantial and sustained exploitation interest following disclosure. Public references include a PatchStack advisory and a GitHub repository containing related proof-of-concept material.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-44623
Vulnerability details
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in LiteSpeed Technologies LiteSpeed Cache allows Stored XSS.This issue affects LiteSpeed Cache: from n/a through 5.7.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Penetration testing submits XSS payloads to web applications, detecting cross-site scripting flaws for subsequent remediation.
Validates web inputs to reject script-related content that could produce XSS.
Output validation against expected content can reject or sanitize script content in generated web pages, reducing XSS exploitability.