CVE-2023-0716 in Wicked Folders Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/08/2023
The Wicked Folders plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authorization bypass due to a missing capability check on the ajax_edit_folder function in versions up to, and including, 2.18.16. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level permissions and above, to invoke this function and perform actions intended for administrators such as modifying the folder structure maintained by the plugin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-0716 affects the Wicked Folders plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 2.18.16. This authorization bypass flaw stems from a critical missing capability check within the ajax_edit_folder function, which is designed to handle folder management operations. The issue creates a significant security gap that allows malicious actors with subscriber-level privileges to escalate their permissions and execute administrative functions through the plugin's interface.
The technical flaw manifests in the absence of proper access control validation within the ajax_edit_folder function, which should require administrator-level privileges to modify folder structures. This missing capability check represents a classic security misconfiguration that falls under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms. The vulnerability enables authenticated attackers to bypass the intended permission model, allowing them to manipulate folder hierarchies and potentially gain deeper access to the WordPress site's file organization system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with the ability to restructure folder hierarchies that may contain sensitive content or serve as organizational frameworks for site data. Subscribers with access to the WordPress site can exploit this flaw to modify folder structures, potentially disrupting site organization, hiding malicious files within legitimate folder structures, or creating access paths for further exploitation. The implications are particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects a plugin that manages file organization, which could provide attackers with insights into the site's data structure and potentially facilitate more sophisticated attacks.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers legitimate credentials and privileges, as it allows unauthorized users to leverage existing subscriber accounts to perform administrative functions. The attack surface is relatively narrow but significant, as it requires only an authenticated user account with subscriber privileges to exploit the vulnerability. Organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring for unusual folder modification patterns and ensure that all WordPress plugins are regularly updated to address such security gaps. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper capability checks in web applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor access control oversights can create substantial security risks.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate plugin updates to versions that address this authorization bypass, implementation of role-based access controls that limit folder management capabilities to trusted administrators, and regular security auditing of WordPress plugins for similar access control issues. Additionally, organizations should consider network-level monitoring to detect unusual AJAX requests that might indicate exploitation attempts, and maintain comprehensive backup strategies to quickly restore folder structures if compromised. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of thorough access control validation in web applications and the need for continuous security assessments of third-party components.