CVE-2023-47504 - Improper Authentication Vulnerability in Elementor Website Builder: Accessing Functionality Not Properly Constrained by ACLs

Elementor, the popular website builder, has recently been identified with a crucial vulnerability that could potentially expose and grant unauthorized access to certain key functionalities. Designated as CVE-2023-47504, this improper authentication vulnerability affects the Elementor Website Builder from versions n/a to 3.16.4. In this post, we will delve into the details of this vulnerability and provide a better understanding of the risk associated, any available patches, and suggestions on how to mitigate the vulnerability.

Exploit Details

The issue CVE-2023-47504 revolves around improper authentication checks that allow an attacker to access functionality that should otherwise be restricted by the Access Control List (ACL). With such a vulnerability, nefarious actors can potentially gain unauthorized access, modify the website contents, and even compromise the security and integrity of the overall website.

To understand the scope of this vulnerability, let's examine a code snippet

// Original code with vulnerability
function vulnerableFunction() {
    if(!current_user_can('manage_options')) {
        return false;
    }

    // critical functionality here
}

In the original code above, an attacker could potentially bypass the authentication check by exploiting this vulnerability.

// Patched code
function secureFunction() {
    if(!is_user_logged_in() || !current_user_can('manage_options')) {
        wp_die(__('You do not have permission to perform this action.'));
    }

    // critical functionality here
}

In the patched version of the code, we can see that is_user_logged_in() has been added, ensuring that proper authentication procedures are followed.

Original References

For a more comprehensive understanding of this vulnerability, you can refer to the following resources:

1. CVE-2023-47504: National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2. Elementor Official Website
3. Elementor Version 3.16.5 Changelog

To secure your website and address the CVE-2023-47504 vulnerability, follow these steps

1. Update Elementor: If you are currently using a vulnerable version (up to 3.16.4), immediately update to the latest patched version, which is 3.16.5 or later. You can download this directly from the Elementor release page on GitHub.

2. Review User Access: Ensure that all users with access to your website have appropriate permissions and restrict or update them as needed.

3. Secure Code Practices: Carry out regular security audits to verify the integrity of your code and reduce the chances of any vulnerabilities.

4. Stay Informed: Subscribe to security bulletins and follow industry news to stay updated on similar vulnerabilities and receive the latest information on security patches, updates, and best practices.

By being proactive and taking appropriate steps to address the CVE-2023-47504 vulnerability, you can ensure the security and privacy of your website, protecting both your business and its users from potentially devastating consequences.

Timeline

Published on: 04/24/2024 16:15:07 UTC