CVE-2023-0685 in Wicked Folders Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/08/2023
The Wicked Folders plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in versions up to, and including, 2.18.16. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the ajax_unassign_folders function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to invoke this function via forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link leading them to perform actions intended for administrators such as changing the folder structure maintained by the plugin..
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-0685 affects the Wicked Folders plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 2.18.16. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of administrative functions within WordPress installations. The plugin's failure to implement proper nonce validation creates a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through cross-site request forgery attacks. The vulnerability manifests in the ajax_unassign_folders function, which lacks the necessary security measures to verify the authenticity of requests originating from legitimate administrators.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the absence of proper nonce validation mechanisms within the plugin's ajax_unassign_folders function. Nonces serve as cryptographic tokens that ensure requests originate from authenticated users and prevent unauthorized execution of administrative commands. Without these protections, attackers can craft malicious requests that appear to come from legitimate administrative sessions. This weakness aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities in web applications. The vulnerability creates a scenario where unauthenticated attackers can manipulate folder structures within the WordPress environment, potentially compromising the organization's file management systems and data integrity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it allows attackers to manipulate folder assignments and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive content. Administrators who are tricked into clicking malicious links or visiting compromised websites can unknowingly execute administrative functions through the forged requests. This attack vector leverages social engineering techniques to bypass traditional authentication mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently interact with external links. The consequences include unauthorized folder reorganization, potential data exposure, and disruption of normal administrative workflows. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.002 which covers phishing with malicious attachments and links, and T1078.004 which involves valid accounts through abuse of remote service access.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the nonce validation issue, as this represents the most direct solution to the vulnerability. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits of installed plugins, monitoring for unauthorized administrative actions, and educating administrators about phishing risks. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense by detecting and blocking suspicious request patterns. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and strict browser security controls can further reduce the attack surface. Security teams should also establish monitoring protocols specifically designed to detect anomalous folder structure changes that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar issues in other plugins and custom WordPress implementations. Organizations utilizing the affected plugin version should consider temporary removal of the plugin until proper security patches are applied and validated.