CVE-2023-0728 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_save_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 vulnerability identified in CVE-2023-0728 affects the Wicked Folders plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 2.18.16. This represents a critical security flaw that exposes WordPress sites to cross-site request forgery attacks, potentially allowing unauthorized users to manipulate folder structures within the plugin's administrative interface. The vulnerability stems from inadequate security controls that should have been implemented to prevent unauthorized execution of administrative functions.
The technical flaw resides in the ajax_save_folder function which lacks proper nonce validation mechanisms. Nonces serve as cryptographic tokens that verify the authenticity of requests and ensure they originate from legitimate administrative users. In this case, the absence of correct nonce verification creates an opening for attackers to forge requests that appear to come from authenticated administrators. This vulnerability falls under CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications, making it a well-documented and serious security concern.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation as it allows attackers to fundamentally alter the folder structure managed by the Wicked Folders plugin. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could reorganize folders, potentially disrupting site functionality, creating access control issues, or even establishing persistent access points within the plugin's administrative interface. The risk is particularly elevated because the vulnerability does not require authentication, meaning attackers can leverage social engineering tactics to trick administrators into executing malicious requests through seemingly benign actions like clicking on compromised links.
This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering tactics including the manipulation of users to perform actions that compromise security. The attack vector relies on tricking administrators into performing actions that would normally require legitimate authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently interact with external links or content. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious web pages or emails that contain links or embedded content designed to trigger the vulnerable function when an administrator visits the page or clicks on the link.
Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of the Wicked Folders plugin where this vulnerability has been patched, as the fix typically involves implementing proper nonce validation mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should implement network monitoring to detect suspicious AJAX requests and consider implementing additional security measures such as web application firewalls or content security policies to mitigate potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes remain essential to identify similar vulnerabilities that could compromise the overall security posture of the platform.