CVE-2023-0550 in Quick Restaurant Menu Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/27/2023
The Quick Restaurant Menu plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Insecure Direct Object Reference in versions up to, and including, 2.0.2. This is due to the fact that during menu item deletion/modification, the plugin does not verify that the post ID provided to the AJAX action is indeed a menu item. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level access or higher, to modify or delete arbitrary posts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2026
The Quick Restaurant Menu plugin for WordPress presents a critical security vulnerability classified as Insecure Direct Object Reference under CVE-2023-0550. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 2.0.2, creating a significant risk for WordPress installations that rely on this plugin for restaurant menu management. The flaw resides in the plugin's handling of AJAX actions during menu item operations, specifically during deletion and modification processes where proper input validation fails to occur. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper access control checks, allowing unauthorized manipulation of posts through direct object references.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin processes AJAX requests for menu item modifications or deletions. During these operations, the plugin accepts a post ID parameter directly from user input without verifying whether that ID corresponds to an actual menu item within the plugin's scope. This lack of input sanitization and validation creates a pathway for authenticated attackers to exploit the system by manipulating the post ID parameter to target any post within the WordPress installation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the object reference level, bypassing normal WordPress access control mechanisms that would typically prevent users from modifying posts they don't own or shouldn't access.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-0550 extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform arbitrary modifications or deletions across the entire WordPress content management system. An authenticated attacker with subscriber-level privileges or higher can leverage this vulnerability to delete critical content, modify published posts, or even inject malicious code into the system. This represents a significant escalation of privileges within the WordPress environment, as the vulnerability allows attackers to bypass normal content management restrictions and potentially compromise the entire website. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it affects any WordPress installation using the vulnerable plugin, regardless of the site's security configuration or additional security measures in place.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes Insecure Direct Object Reference issues where applications fail to properly verify that objects being accessed are legitimate. This flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts with restricted access, as the vulnerability exploits legitimate user accounts to perform unauthorized actions. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest plugin version, implementing additional access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized modifications. The recommended approach involves patching the vulnerable plugin to version 2.0.3 or later, which includes proper input validation and access control checks. Additionally, administrators should review user permissions and implement network-level controls to limit access to AJAX endpoints, while also conducting thorough security audits to identify any potential exploitation attempts that may have already occurred.