CVE-2023-51682: Unauthorized Access and Missing Authorization Vulnerability in Ibericode MC4WP (Mailchimp for WordPress) Plugin

A recent cybersecurity issue, CVE-2023-51682, has been identified within the Ibericode MC4WP (Mailchimp for WordPress) plugin, impacting versions from n/a through 4.9.9. This vulnerability allows malicious users to bypass certain authorization checks and access sensitive information. This article will take an in-depth look into the details of this exploit, including code snippets and references, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the risks and consequences.

Description of Vulnerability

The CVE-2023-51682 vulnerability stems from a missing authorization check within Ibericode's MC4WP plugin, which allows unauthorized users to access and modify certain functionalities within the plugin. Specifically, the vulnerability has been found to impact the plugin's API functionality, allowing unauthorized users to gain access to protected resources.

Exploit Details

The unauthorized access vulnerability arises from the absence of proper authentication and authorization checks within the plugin's API. Below is a code snippet highlighting the lack of security measures in the vulnerable code:

// Vulnerable-code.php
public function handle_request() {

    // ... omitted for brevity ...

    // No authentication or authorization check present
    $this->touch_data();

    // ... omitted for brevity ...

}

In this snippet, we see that there's no authentication or authorization check being implemented within the handle_request() function. As a result, any user, regardless of their privileges, can gain access to sensitive information and, in some cases, even modify it.

With access to the plugin's API, a malicious user could perform various actions ranging from unauthorized logins to gathering sensitive user and system data. The extent and severity of exploitation depend on the attacker's intent and capabilities.

Affected Versions & Plugin

The vulnerability affects the Ibericode MC4WP (Mailchimp for WordPress) plugin, versions n/a through 4.9.9. Users of this plugin are urged to upgrade to the latest version to avoid the risks associated with CVE-2023-51682.

References

- Ibericode MC4WP plugin: https://wordpress.org/plugins/mailchimp-for-wp/
- CVE-2023-51682 Details: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-51682
- Ibericode Official Website: https://ibericode.com/

Remediation

The simplest and most effective solution to mitigate CVE-2023-51682 is to update the Ibericode MC4WP plugin to its latest version, which resolves the vulnerability.

Additionally, it's recommended to follow best practices for securing WordPress installations. These include maintaining strong passwords for admin accounts, regularly updating all plugins and themes, and avoiding the use of unnecessary plugins that may introduce security risks.

Timeline

Published on: 06/11/2024 16:15:16 UTC
Last modified on: 06/17/2024 17:06:08 UTC