CVE-2023-52220: Missing Authorization Vulnerability in MonsterInsights Google Analytics Plugin Impacts Versions up to 8.21.

In this blog post, we will explore a critical vulnerability identified in the popular WordPress plugin, Google Analytics by MonsterInsights. This plugin provides easy integration of your WordPress website with Google Analytics and is actively used by millions of users worldwide. The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2023-52220, affects all versions of the plugin from its inception until version 8.21..

The Missing Authorization vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to perform unauthorized actions, taking advantage of missing security controls. This flaw could potentially lead to unauthorized data access, manipulation, and even complete control of your website.

To grasp the severity of this issue and the possible extent of its impact, let's dive deeper into the technical details of the vulnerability, assess the possible consequences, and offer solutions on how to mitigate this security risk.

Vulnerability Overview

This Missing Authorization vulnerability in MonsterInsights Google Analytics plugin is a result of improper implementation of the security controls when handling user requests. Every request made to the plugin's REST API (application programming interface) should have been properly checked using the appropriate WordPress authorization functions. However, due to an oversight in the plugin's coding, these controls were absent, leaving a gaping security hole.

Code Snippet

Here's a code snippet from the vulnerable part of the plugin, showcasing the lack of proper authorization checks:

function process_api_request() {
    // No authorization check in place
    $settings = get_option( 'monsterinsights_settings' );
    ...
}

As you can observe, there is no authorization check in place before processing user requests.

Exploit Details

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted request to the plugin's REST API. Due to the absence of authorization checks, the attacker could perform unauthorized actions such as changing the plugin's settings, retrieving sensitive data, or even gain complete control over the WordPress site.

To demonstrate the exploitation of this vulnerability, let's consider a proof-of-concept (PoC) attack scenario:

1. The attacker identifies a WordPress site using a vulnerable version of the MonsterInsights Google Analytics plugin.
2. The attacker makes a forged request to the plugin's REST API, pretending to have administration privileges.
3. Due to the missing authorization check, the plugin processes the request, allowing the attacker to perform malicious actions without the website owner's knowledge.

Original References

The CVE-2023-52220 vulnerability was initially reported by security researchers on the following platforms:

- National Vulnerability Database (NVD): CVE-2023-52220
- WPScan Vulnerability Database: WordPress MonsterInsights Google Analytics Plugin 8.21. - Missing Authorization

These sources provide additional technical information about the issue, along with detailed vulnerability analysis.

Mitigation

To mitigate this vulnerability and secure your WordPress site, it is strongly recommended that you perform the following actions:

1. Update the Google Analytics by MonsterInsights plugin to the latest version (v8.21.1 or later). The security issue has been fixed in this release. You can download the updated plugin from the official WordPress Plugin Directory at the following link: Google Analytics by Monster Insights

2. Regularly check for plugin updates and apply them as soon as possible to ensure the security of your WordPress site.

3. Perform periodic security audits of your WordPress installation, either manually or by using automated tools like WPScan to identify and fix potential vulnerabilities.

Remember, staying informed and up-to-date is one of the best measures you can take to protect your website from threats and ensure its long-term security.

Timeline

Published on: 04/25/2024 10:15:08 UTC
Last modified on: 06/04/2024 17:22:39 UTC