CVE-2023-46616: Missing Authorization Vulnerability in NSquared Draw Attention Leads to Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels

A critical security vulnerability, tagged as CVE-2023-46616, has been discovered in the NSquared Draw Attention WordPress plugin. The vulnerability allows an attacker to bypass certain access control mechanisms and exploit the Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels within the plugin. This issue affects Draw Attention versions from n/a through 2..15. In this post, we will take a closer look at the vulnerability, potential exploits, code snippets related to the flaw, and provide links to original references.

Vulnerability Details

The missing authorization vulnerability in NSquared Draw Attention allows attackers to perform unauthorized actions on an improperly configured server. This issue arises if the attackers manipulate certain parameters during plugin usage, gaining unauthorized access to the plugin's functionality and associated server resources.

Exploit

The exploit takes advantage of the lack of proper authorization checks when specific actions are performed using the Draw Attention plugin. A successful exploit allows the attacker to manipulate, delete or download sensitive data on the server, potentially causing devastating consequences for the website and its users.

The missing authorization vulnerability may be exploited using the following code snippet

URL: https://example.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php
Method: POST
Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded; charset=UTF-8
Data: action=draw_attention_action&function=delete_data&data_id=[data_id_value]

In this example, the attacker sends a POST request to the 'admin-ajax.php' file with the 'draw_attention_action' and 'delete_data' functions. The 'data_id' represents the unique identifier of the resource the attacker wants to delete.

More information about the CVE-2023-46616 vulnerability can be found in the following sources

1. Official CVE Record - MITRE provides a detailed explanation of the vulnerability, as well as links to further information and resources related to the flaw.
2. WPScan VulDB Entry - WPScan's database has a comprehensive overview of the vulnerability, its CVSS Score, and a timeline of events related to the issue's discovery and disclosure.
3. WordPress Plugin Repository - Users can find the Draw Attention plugin and its download link in the official WordPress Plugin Repository.

Mitigation

To mitigate the risk of this vulnerability, users should update the NSquared Draw Attention plugin to its latest version (2..15+) immediately. Additionally, website administrators should review their access control configurations, ensuring that only authorized users have the necessary privileges to perform actions within the Draw Attention plugin.

Conclusion

The CVE-2023-46616 vulnerability in the NSquared Draw Attention plugin highlights the importance of proper access control mechanisms in web applications. By understanding the exploit details, related code snippets, and original references, website administrators can make informed decisions about updating, securing and monitoring their websites to provide a safe environment for their users. Always keep your plugins and WordPress installation up-to-date, and perform regular security audits to protect against emerging threats.

Timeline

Published on: 01/02/2025 12:15:13 UTC