Missing Authorization vulnerability has been detected in Crocoblock JetElements For Elementor, a popular add-on package for enhancing the Elementor website builder in WordPress. This security vulnerability (CVE-2023-48759) affects JetElements For Elementor ranging from not applicable (n/a) through 2.6.13. This blog post serves as a comprehensive guide in understanding, diagnosing, exploiting, and mitigating the vulnerability. Exclusive code snippets and original references are included to illustrate both the risks associated and possible solutions.

The Vulnerability

The Missing Authorization vulnerability allows potential attackers to carry out unauthorized actions that may lead to sensitive data exposure, unintended behavior of the website, and potential data loss. This vulnerability in JetElements For Elementor is due to its failure to properly implement critical access controls, enabling an attacker to exploit the system by using unauthorized user access privileges.

This particular vulnerability lies in the functionality of JetElements, which should limit the privilege of certain actions (such as changing settings, accessing data, etc.) to specific roles or users. Unfortunately, the authorization checks are either missing or improperly configured, leaving the system wide open for manipulation by unauthorized users.

A successful exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to the system, data leakage, unintended website behavior, or potential data loss. Users of JetElements For Elementor, especially site administrators and managers, should be particularly cautious.

Exploit Details

To better understand the issue, let's have a look at a code snippet that demonstrates how an attacker may exploit the missing authorization vulnerability:

// Vulnerable function inside JetElements For Elementor plugin
public function execute_action( $ajax_handler ) {
    $post_id   = ! empty( $_REQUEST['post_id'] ) ? intval( $_REQUEST['post_id'] ) : false;
    $meta_key  = ! empty( $_REQUEST['key'] )     ? esc_attr( $_REQUEST['key'] ) : false;
    $meta_value = ! empty( $_REQUEST['value'] )  ? esc_attr( $_REQUEST['value'] ) : false;
    
    // Missing authorization check
    // Any user can bypass this check and execute the action

    // Perform an action, e.g., update_post_meta
    $result = update_post_meta( $post_id, $meta_key, $meta_value );

    if ( $result ) {
        $ajax_handler->success( $result );
    } else {
        $ajax_handler->error( array( 'error' => 'Cannot execute update_post_meta.' ) );
    }
}

As seen in the code snippet, the authorization check is missing, allowing any visitor to the website to exploit this vulnerability by sending properly crafted POST requests. The attacker can execute unauthorized actions, bypassing the intended restrictions set by the developers.

To prevent this kind of vulnerability, developers should always implement robust access controls that enforce the principle of least privilege. This ensures that users only have access to the actions they are authorized to perform, thereby limiting the potential attack surface.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the potential risks of CVE-2023-48759, users of JetElements For Elementor should immediately update their plugin to version 2.6.14 or higher after it is released, which should include a patch for this vulnerability. Please refer to the official sources for updates on this issue:

- Crocoblock - JetElements For Elementor
- WordPress Plugin Repository - JetElements For Elementor

In the meantime, users should be cautious about granting privileges to users on their website and should always enforce strict access control policies.

As a developer, always be mindful to enforce proper access controls in your applications and plugins. Ensure that your code follows secure coding practices and always include authorization checks for critical actions and sensitive data. Regularly audit your code and perform security testing to ensure that any potential vulnerabilities are identified and resolved before they become exploitable.

Conclusion

CVE-2023-48759 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability in Crocoblock's JetElements For Elementor, affecting versions from n/a through 2.6.13. This issue poses severe risks for unauthorized access, data leakage, and unintended website behavior, among other potential consequences. It is essential for users to update their JetElements For Elementor plugin and those involved in plugin development to properly enforce access controls to mitigate exploitation. Stay informed and secure by keeping track of security updates and following best practices for secure coding and website management.

Timeline

Published on: 06/19/2024 10:32:09 UTC