CVE-2013-10029 in Exit Box Lite Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/06/2023
A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in Exit Box Lite Plugin up to 1.06 on WordPress. Affected by this vulnerability is the function exitboxadmin of the file wordpress-exit-box-lite.php. The manipulation leads to cross-site request forgery. The attack can be launched remotely. Upgrading to version 1.10 is able to address this issue. The patch is named fad26701addb862c51baf85c6e3cc136aa79c309. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-230671.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2023
This vulnerability resides within the Exit Box Lite WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.10 where the function exitboxadmin in the wordpress-exit-box-lite.php file contains a cross-site request forgery flaw. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users without their knowledge or consent. The flaw exists in the plugin's administrative interface handling where proper CSRF protection mechanisms are absent or insufficiently implemented, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the trust relationship between the user's browser and the WordPress installation. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery issues in software applications. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability through web-based attacks without requiring physical access to the target system or direct network connectivity to the WordPress server.
The technical impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation as it represents a significant threat to the integrity and confidentiality of WordPress administrative operations. When an authenticated administrator visits a malicious website or clicks on a crafted link, the CSRF attack can execute unauthorized administrative actions such as modifying plugin settings, changing user permissions, or potentially gaining elevated privileges within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability's classification as remote attack vector eliminates the need for attackers to be in the same network segment as the target system, making it particularly dangerous in cloud and hosted environments where WordPress installations are commonly deployed. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.002 which describes the use of web-based attacks to exploit vulnerabilities in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it compromises the security posture of any WordPress installation using the affected plugin version. An attacker who successfully exploits this CSRF vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to administrative functions, leading to complete compromise of the WordPress site. This could result in defacement of the website, data exfiltration, injection of malicious content, or establishment of persistent backdoors within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability affects not just the plugin's functionality but also the broader WordPress security framework, as it undermines the trust model that should exist between authenticated users and the application's administrative interface. Organizations using this plugin version face significant risk of unauthorized modifications to their website content and configuration, potentially leading to service disruption, reputational damage, and compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate upgrade to version 1.10 or later where the patch fad26701addb862c51baf85c6e3cc136aa79c309 has been implemented to address the CSRF protection gap. The patch likely introduces proper CSRF token validation mechanisms within the exitboxadmin function to ensure that all administrative requests originate from legitimate sources within the WordPress application. Additionally, administrators should implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious cross-site request patterns. Regular security auditing of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other third-party components. Security monitoring should include detection of unauthorized administrative actions within WordPress, particularly those that occur outside of normal administrative usage patterns. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include multiple layers of protection against common web application vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing role-based access controls and limiting administrative privileges to reduce the potential impact of successful CSRF attacks.