CVE-2023-0727 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_delete_folder 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 CVE-2023-0727 vulnerability affects the Wicked Folders plugin for WordPress, representing a critical cross-site request forgery weakness that compromises administrative privileges. This vulnerability exists within plugin versions up to and including 2.18.16, making it a widespread concern for WordPress sites utilizing this particular folder management solution. The flaw specifically resides in the ajax_delete_folder function where nonce validation is either absent or improperly implemented, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's trust mechanisms. The vulnerability operates under the principle that administrators are often tricked into performing unintended actions through social engineering tactics, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently interact with external links or content.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the absence of proper nonce verification within the ajax_delete_folder function, which is designed to handle folder deletion operations through asynchronous requests. This missing security control allows attackers to craft malicious requests that appear legitimate to the WordPress system, as the server cannot verify whether the request originated from an authenticated administrator or from a forged external source. The nonce validation mechanism, which should serve as a cryptographic token to confirm user intent and prevent unauthorized actions, is either completely omitted or fails to properly validate the request authenticity. This weakness directly aligns with CWE-352, which categorizes cross-site request forgery vulnerabilities as those that allow attackers to perform actions with the privileges of authenticated users without their knowledge or consent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple folder deletion, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the entire folder structure managed by the Wicked Folders plugin. An unauthenticated attacker could potentially delete critical folders, modify folder permissions, or reorganize the directory structure in ways that could disrupt site functionality or create security gaps. The attack vector relies heavily on social engineering techniques where administrators are tricked into clicking malicious links or visiting compromised websites that automatically submit requests to the vulnerable plugin endpoint. This makes the vulnerability particularly insidious as it does not require any authentication credentials or direct exploitation of the WordPress installation itself, instead leveraging the trust relationship between the administrator and the website.
Security implications of this vulnerability include potential data loss, disruption of site functionality, and possible escalation to more severe attacks if the compromised folder structure contains sensitive configuration files or assets. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that the vulnerability affects all versions up to 2.18.16, meaning that a significant portion of WordPress installations using this plugin could be at risk. Organizations should consider implementing additional security measures such as web application firewalls, monitoring for unusual folder deletion patterns, and regular security audits of third-party plugins. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and CSRF protection mechanisms in WordPress plugins, as outlined in various security frameworks including the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. Mitigation strategies should include immediate plugin updates to versions that address the nonce validation issue, along with comprehensive security training for administrators to recognize and avoid potential social engineering attacks.