CVE-2023-48273 - Missing Authorization Vulnerability in WP OnlineSupport: Essential Plugin Preloader for Website (Versions n/a

A recent vulnerability, CVE-2023-48273, discovered in the Essential Plugin Preloader for Website by WP OnlineSupport has raised many concerns. This particularly alarming missing authorization vulnerability impacts every version of the plugin available up to and including version 1.2.2. As a result, millions of websites could be at risk for unauthorized access, potentially leading to theft of user information, the defacement of site content, or the running of malicious scripts.

The vulnerable code snippet in question is as follows

function wpo_epfw_save_settings_callback(){
    // The code lacks authorization checks here...
    update_option('wpo_epfw_settings', $_REQUEST['wpo_epfw_settings']);
}

Exploit Details

The missing authorization vulnerability in WP OnlineSupport's Essential Plugin Preloader for Website means that the plugin essentially has no security measures in place to ensure that only authorized users can access specific areas of the site. This, in turn, creates the potential for unauthorized individuals to potentially tamper with plugin settings, compromising the site's overall security.

Researchers discovered that attackers could use this missing authorization vulnerability to bypass any existing security measures. By doing this, they can gain control and perform a myriad of unauthorized actions with potentially severe consequences.

- The attacker sends a specially crafted request with manipulated setting values to the "wpo_epfw_save_settings_callback()" function when the target user has active admin privileges.

- As there are no authorization checks in place, the submitted settings get updated in the options table.

- Subsequently, the modified settings may lead to the execution of unauthorized actions on the website.

These actions could theoretically include the stealing of sensitive user information (names, email addresses, passwords, etc.) or the defacement of site content by altering or removing images and text. Additionally, attackers could potentially run malicious scripts designed to corrupt the site or its database further.

Recommended Actions

To address the issue presented by the CVE-2023-48273 vulnerability, it is recommended that users take the following steps:

1. Update: Ensure that you're running the latest version of the Essential Plugin Preloader for Website. WP OnlineSupport will likely issue a patch to address this vulnerability in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for any updates and install them promptly.

2. Limit User Privileges: Limit the number of users who have administrator privileges on your site. Ensure that only trusted individuals have access to critical settings and have the ability to make changes.

3. Regularly Monitor: Regularly monitor your site for any suspicious activity or changes. This could include unusual user behavior, unauthorized changes to content or settings, or evidence of malicious code being executed.

4. Implement Stronger Security Measures: Consider implementing additional security measures such as two-factor authentication (2FA) for users with elevated access rights and the use of Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) to further enhance your site's security.

Original References

For more information regarding the CVE-2023-48273 vulnerability, please refer to the following resources:

- CVE-2023-48273 - National Vulnerability Database (NVD) Entry

- WP OnlineSupport: Essential Plugin Preloader for Website - Official Plugin Page

- WPScan Vulnerability Database - CVE-2023-48273

Conclusion

The discovery of CVE-2023-48273 should serve as a wakeup call for website owners and administrators, emphasizing the importance of keeping their software and plugins up to date. By being proactive, vigilant, and persistent in ensuring their site's security, individuals can drastically reduce the risk posed by vulnerabilities like this one.

Timeline

Published on: 06/11/2024 17:15:50 UTC
Last modified on: 06/13/2024 18:36:45 UTC