CVE-2023-48286 - Unauthorized Access Exploit in Tips and Tricks HQ, wptipsntricks Stripe Payments Due to Missing Authorization Check

A critical Missing Authorization vulnerability has been discovered in the Tips and Tricks HQ, wptipsntricks Stripe Payments plugin for WordPress, causing security concerns for users and website administrators. This vulnerability allows malicious attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels within the plugin. The affected plugin versions include up to and including version 2..79.

In this post, we will provide an in-depth analysis of the exploit, discuss its possible effects, show a code snippet demonstrating the vulnerability, and provide links to the original references of this issue.

Exploit Details

The CVE-2023-48286 vulnerability arises due to the lack of proper authorization checks in the wptipsntricks Stripe Payments plugin before processing certain requests. This flaw enables attackers with limited or no privileges to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, manipulate plugin settings, and exploit the payment system for financial gains.

This security loophole can be capitalized upon by malicious users who can craft and send requests to the target server, bypassing the usual access restrictions set in place by the plugin, causing security issues for both the website administrators and the end-users as well.

Code Snippet

The following snippet demonstrates the problematic code that leads to the Missing Authorization vulnerability:

function asp_process_stripe_api_request() {
   $req_data = stripslashes_deep( $_POST );
   $resp = Asp_Stripe_Api::process_request( $req_data );
   echo json_encode( $resp );
   wp_die();
}

add_action( 'wp_ajax_asp_pp_req', 'asp_process_stripe_api_request' );
add_action( 'wp_ajax_nopriv_asp_pp_req', 'asp_process_stripe_api_request');

The vulnerability exists due to the use of wp_ajax_nopriv_asp_pp_req hook, which allows unauthorized users to access and manipulate the asp_process_stripe_api_request() function. The patch would require removing this particular hook and reinforcing appropriate checks to restrict unauthorized access.

Original References

1. Tips and Tricks HQ, wptipsntricks official website: https://www.tipsandtricks-hq.com/
2. Stripe Payments plugin page: https://wordpress.org/plugins/stripe-payments/
3. Official CVE-2023-48286 vulnerability disclosure: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2023-48286

Mitigation Steps

It is highly recommended to take the following steps to mitigate the risk associated with this exploit:

1. Update the Tips and Tricks HQ, wptipsntricks Stripe Payments plugin to the latest patched version (2..80 or higher) as soon as it becomes available.
2. Regularly update and maintain all WordPress plugins, themes, and core files to ensure the latest security patches have been applied.
3. Implement proper access control measures to secure your WordPress installation, including the use of strong and unique passwords, two-factor authentication, and limiting user privileges to only those necessary for their role.
4. Perform frequent security scans and vulnerability assessments to identify and address potential weak points in your website infrastructure.

Conclusion

The discovery of the Missing Authorization vulnerability in the Tips and Tricks HQ, wptipsntricks Stripe Payments plugin highlights the importance of rigorous access control measures in restricting unauthorized access and protecting sensitive data. By staying informed of the latest security vulnerabilities, updating to patched versions of software, and implementing strong access control mechanisms, you can help protect your website and its users from potential threats.

Timeline

Published on: 12/09/2024 13:15:33 UTC