CVE-2023-47849 - Missing Authorization Vulnerability in BlossomThemes Email Newsletter Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels

The software world is ever-evolving, and with this growth come new challenges, one of which is security vulnerabilities. One such vulnerability, CVE-2023-47849, specifically targets the BlossomThemes Email Newsletter. This security issue arises due to Missing Authorization, which allows cyber intruders to exploit Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels. The vulnerability affects BlossomThemes Email Newsletter from n/a through version 2.2.4.

In this post, we will delve into the specifics of CVE-2023-47849, discussing the code snippets, original sources, and exploit details for further understanding.

CVE-2023-47849 Overview

The CVE-2023-47849 vulnerability exists because of Missing Authorization in the BlossomThemes Email Newsletter, enabling attackers to exploit Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels. As a result, unauthorized users could potentially access sensitive information or perform actions that should be restricted only to authorized users.

Affected Versions

BlossomThemes Email Newsletter is affected by this vulnerability from its initial version (n/a) through version 2.2.4.

The following code snippet demonstrates the security issue in BlossomThemes Email Newsletter

// blossompthemes-email-newsletter.php
if ( isset( $_GET['ben_export_all'] ) )
{
    // ...
    if ( $subscribers )
    {
        $filename = 'newsletter_subscribers.csv';
        header('Content-Type: text/csv');
        header('Content-Disposition: attachment;filename=' . $filename);
        header('Cache-Control: max-age=');

        // ...
    }
}

In this code snippet, the ben_export_all parameter is checked without verifying the user's authentication status or authorization level. This oversight allows unauthorized users to bypass the access control and exploit the system.

Exploit Details

An attacker can specifically target this vulnerability by sending a crafted URL to the victim and persuading them to visit it. Clicking the URL will trigger the export of all newsletter subscribers, including their personal information, to a CSV file.

As such, the attacker can potentially gather sensitive subscriber data resulting from this unauthorized access. The attacker may further exploit the collected information to conduct phishing attacks or other malicious activities.

Original References

1. CVE-2023-47849 - The official CVE identifier for the vulnerability discussed in this post.
2. BlossomThemes Email Newsletter Plugin - This is the plugin page where you can download and learn more about the BlossomThemes Email Newsletter.
3. BlossomThemes Email Newsletter Security Advisory - This is the official security advisory by BlossomThemes concerning the vulnerability.

Conclusion

Considering the potential risks associated with this vulnerability, it is crucial to address CVE-2023-47849 immediately. Developers using BlossomThemes Email Newsletter should ensure their plugin is updated to the latest version, which addresses this specific vulnerability. Additionally, proper access control and user authorization checks should be implemented to prevent such security issues in the future. By addressing vulnerabilities such as CVE-2023-47849, we can contribute to a safer, more secure digital environment for all.

Timeline

Published on: 12/09/2024 13:15:32 UTC