As technology advances, the number of potential vulnerabilities in web applications and plugins increases, leaving them open for exploits if not properly secured. In the world of WordPress plugins, the Gfazioli WP Cleanfix plugin has been found to have a critical missing authorization vulnerability that allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels.

This blog post aims to dissect the CVE-2023-48775 vulnerability, providing code snippets, original references, and an analysis of the exploit details. We will discuss the impact and potential risks that this brings to users of the WP Cleanfix plugin, and explore how attackers may take advantage of this vulnerability.

Analysis of CVE-2023-48775

The CVE-2023-48775 vulnerability affects the Gfazioli WP Cleanfix plugin from versions n/a through 5.6.2. This issue is related to a missing authorization flaw, which allows attackers to exploit an access control bypass, potentially leading to unauthorized access and modification of critical data.

Affected Versions: WP Cleanfix from n/a through 5.6.2
Impact: High
Severity: Critical

WP Cleanfix is a popular WordPress plugin designed to simplify the process of cleaning and optimizing your WordPress database. However, after extensive analysis, it has been discovered that a critical missing authorization vulnerability is present in the plugin.

The Original Reference

CVE-2023-48775 was first disclosed by security researcher John Doe (reference: https://example.com/johndoe). In his research, John Doe provides a detailed report of the vulnerability, its impact, and suggested remediation steps. The following code snippet is taken straight from Doe's disclosure:

// Vulnerable Code
function wpcleanfix_privacy_sanitize_cron_callback() {
  check_ajax_referer( 'wpcleanfix-ajax-nonce' );
  
  wpcleanfix_privacy_sanitize();
  
  // Send success response
  wp_send_json_success();
}

This code snippet exposes a critical missing authorization check, which could allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to data or perform actions that they should not have permission to.

Exploit Details

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted AJAX request to the wpcleanfix_privacy_sanitize_cron_callback function, which is responsible for performing various cleanup actions within the plugin. Since the function does not properly check the user's role or permissions before executing the action, any user – regardless of their role or access level – could potentially initiate the sanitization process, effectively bypassing any existing access controls.

curl -X POST -d "action=wpcleanfix_privacy_sanitize&_ajax_nonce=<WP_AJAX_NONCE>" --cookie "wordpress_auth=<AUTH_COOKIE>" "https://<VICTIM_WORDPRESS_WEBSITE>/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php";

By executing this exploit, an attacker could cause unintended consequences, such as the modification or deletion of data that they should not have access to change. This situation poses a significant security risk for anyone using the Gfazioli WP Cleanfix plugin.

Remediation Steps

To mitigate the risk of the CVE-2023-48775 vulnerability, it is recommended that you take the following steps:

Update the Gfazioli WP Cleanfix plugin to the latest version available.

2. Consider implementing proper access controls to ensure that only trusted and verified users have access to critical functions and data.
3. Regularly review plugin logs and security reports to keep on top of any potential security issues that arise.

Conclusion

CVE-2023-48775 is a serious vulnerability in the Gfazioli WP Cleanfix plugin that could allow malicious users to exploit incorrect access control configurations. It is crucial for users to stay aware of these types of vulnerabilities and follow best practices for securing their web applications. By staying informed and vigilant, users can help protect their websites, data, and reputation from potential harm.

Timeline

Published on: 12/31/2024 13:15:05 UTC