CVE-2022-23183 in Advanced Custom Fields Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/31/2022
Missing authorization vulnerability in Advanced Custom Fields versions prior to 5.12.1 and Advanced Custom Fields Pro versions prior to 5.12.1 allows a remote authenticated attacker to view the information on the database without the access permission.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-23183 represents a critical authorization flaw within the Advanced Custom Fields plugin ecosystem, affecting both the standard and Pro versions prior to 5.12.1. This issue stems from inadequate access control mechanisms that fail to properly validate user permissions before exposing sensitive database information. The flaw allows authenticated attackers who have legitimate login credentials to bypass intended security restrictions and access data they should not be authorized to view. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they exploit the trust placed in legitimate user sessions while undermining the principle of least privilege that forms the foundation of secure application design.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests as a failure in the plugin's permission checking logic, where database query results are returned to authenticated users without proper validation of their access rights. This type of flaw commonly falls under CWE-862, which specifically addresses "Missing Authorization" conditions in software systems. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially extract sensitive information including but not limited to custom field configurations, user data, content structures, and metadata that should remain restricted to authorized personnel only. The impact is particularly severe because the attacker does not require special privileges beyond standard user authentication, making the exploitation more accessible and the potential damage more significant.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for websites utilizing Advanced Custom Fields, as it can lead to data exposure, privacy violations, and potential compliance breaches. The flaw affects any system where the plugin is installed and configured, particularly those handling sensitive user information, proprietary content, or confidential business data. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gather intelligence about website structure, content organization, and user demographics, which could then be used for more sophisticated attacks or to identify additional system weaknesses. The vulnerability's remote nature means that exploitation can occur from any location where the attacker has valid credentials, eliminating the need for physical access or complex network positioning.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-23183 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 5.12.1 or later, which contains the necessary authorization checks. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring of user activities and database access patterns to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security hardening measures including regular access control reviews, implementation of principle of least privilege, and comprehensive audit logging should be enforced. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 which covers "Data from Information Repositories" and T1078.004 which addresses "Valid Accounts" as attackers can exploit legitimate credentials to access restricted data. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and database access controls to limit the potential impact should similar vulnerabilities be discovered in other systems.