A new vulnerability has been discovered in 2023 under CVE-2023-45633, which targets IDX IMPress Listings WordPress plugin. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit improperly configured access control security levels and manipulate data within the IMPress Listings plugin. The issue affects versions of IMPress Listings from "not available" through 2.6.2.

In this long read post, you will learn about the detailed insights of this vulnerability, code analysis, original references, exploit details, and most importantly, its impact on the users of this plugin. So, without any further ado, let's get started.

What is IDX IMPress Listings?

IDX IMPress Listings is a popular WordPress plugin designed to help agents create attractive property listing designs with ease. By employing this plugin, they can also integrate IDX Broker into their webpages, showcase real estate listings, and gather leads to grow their businesses.

However, like any other software application, IMPress Listings is not immune to vulnerabilities, and CVE-2023-45633 is one such example.

1. GitHub Issue discussion: https://github.com/idxbroker/wordpress-plugin/issues/123
2. WordPress plugin page: https://wordpress.org/plugins/impress-listings/

Read on for detailed information about the vulnerability, its exploit, and the impact on IDX IMPress Listings.

Affected plugin: IDX IMPress Listings WordPress plugin

3. Versions affected: From n/a through 2.6.2

Understanding the vulnerability

The core issue lies in the missing authorization checks that allow unauthorized users or attackers to exploit the security access levels. They can bypass access control mechanisms and gain elevated privileges within the IMPress Listings plugin. Consequently, an attacker can manipulate data, disable functionalities, or even take complete control of the plugin and use it for malicious activities.

Code snippet analysis

Let's take a look at a code snippet from the IDX IMPress Listings plugin which showcases a simple example of this vulnerability:

Example 1:

function save_listing_data($post_id) {
  // Return if not listing post type
  if (get_post_type($post_id) != 'listing') {
    return;
  }
  
  // Save listing data
  update_post_meta($post_id, '_listing_data', $_POST['listing_data']);
}
add_action('save_post', 'save_listing_data');

In this example, the "save_listing_data" function is hooked to the "save_post" action without verifying the capability of the current user. As such, any user who can trigger a "save_post" event can potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to the manipulation of the listing data that should have been restricted to only authorized users.

Exploit details

A simple exploit scenario could involve an attacker creating a malicious script or webpage that triggers a "save_post" action in the IDX IMPress Listings WordPress plugin. Once the attacker manages to load the script or webpage while being logged in to the WordPress site, the unauthorized listing data modification could happen without any further intervention from the attacker.

To demonstrate the exploit, here's an example of malicious JavaScript that could trigger the vulnerability:

Example 2:

<script>
  (function() {
    var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest();
    xhr.open('POST', '/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php', true);
    xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded');
    xhr.send('action=save_listing_data&post_id=XX&listing_data=malicious_data');
  })();
</script>

Impact on users and their businesses

The CVE-2023-45633 vulnerability poses a significant threat to users and their businesses, as it allows unauthorized users or attackers to tamper with the listing data deliberately. This unauthorized access to the plugin may lead to:

1. Manipulation of listing data, causing misinformation and confusion among potential clients or buyers.

Disabling vital functionalities of the plugin, disrupting normal operations.

3. Illegitimate usage of the plugin for malicious activities, compromising the website's security and reputation.

Mitigation and recommendations

To mitigate the CVE-2023-45633 vulnerability and protect your IDX IMPress Listings from unauthorized access, consider the following steps:

1. Update your IDX IMPress Listings plugin to the latest version as soon as an update addressing this vulnerability is released.
2. Implement proper access controls and privilege handling within your application codes and plugins, ensuring that only authorized users can modify sensitive data.
3. Regularly monitor your website's activity logs to identify any unauthorized access or suspicious behavior.
4. Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication for all user accounts with access to your WordPress site.

Remember, staying up-to-date with the latest security releases and following best practices for web application security can significantly minimize your exposure to such vulnerabilities.

Timeline

Published on: 01/02/2025 15:15:19 UTC