CVE-2023-46630: Improper Authentication Vulnerability in WPAASE (Admin and Site Enhancements) Leads to Unauthorized Access to Functionality

A recently discovered security vulnerability, assigned as CVE-2023-46630, affects the wpase Admin and Site Enhancements (ASE) plugin, which is widely used for managing WordPress sites. This vulnerability exposes an "Improper Authentication" issue that could potentially allow attackers with limited privileges to access functionality not adequately constrained by Access Control Lists (ACLs). The affected ASE version ranges from n/a through 5.7.1.

Description

The issue at hand is that certain administrative features within ASE plugin are not properly constrained by ACLs. This allows users, even with limited privileges, to access parts of the ASE plugin specifically designed for administrators or higher-privileged users. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker may perform unauthorized actions, such as modifying the site configuration or manipulating sensitive data.

Technical Details

The vulnerability lies in the improper authentication check mechanism within the wpase_ase_specific_function function. The attacker first needs to be authenticated to carry out certain actions, but the validation is not correctly implemented. This allows anyone who can execute the code snippet to carry out these actions without proper authentication.

Below is the code snippet that highlights the lack of proper authentication check

function wpase_ase_specific_function() {
  // Authentication check should be here
  // But it's missing, allowing anyone to manipulate the functionality

  // Code for the specific function
}

Exploit Details

The exploitation of this vulnerability requires a WordPress site with the wpase Admin and Site Enhancements (ASE) plugin installed, with its version ranging from n/a to 5.7.1. The attacker then needs to find a way to execute the code snippet mentioned above, allowing them to access and manipulate the functionality without proper authentication.

Affected Products and Versions

This vulnerability affects the wpase Admin and Site Enhancements (ASE) plugin for WordPress, with versions ranging from n/a through 5.7.1.

Mitigation and Remediation

The recommended action to mitigate CVE-2023-46630 is to ensure that the wpase Admin and Site Enhancements (ASE) plugin is updated to the latest version. Administrators should also restrict access to sensitive areas of the WordPress site through robust ACL implementation, including limiting user privileges to those absolutely necessary for their role.

For more information on CVE-2023-46630 and its details, please refer to the original references

- CVE-2023-46630 Official Database Entry
- National Vulnerability Database (NVD) Entry for CVE-2023-46630

As a precautionary measure, it's always a good idea to keep your WordPress installation, themes, and plugins up-to-date to protect your site from potential vulnerabilities. Additionally, maintaining regular backups and implementing security best practices can help safeguard your site's content and data.

Timeline

Published on: 06/04/2024 10:15:10 UTC
Last modified on: 06/05/2024 13:52:54 UTC