CVE-2023-0730 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_order 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-2023-0730 affects the Wicked Folders plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 2.18.16. This represents a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of administrative functions within WordPress environments. The flaw resides in the ajax_save_folder_order function which fails to implement proper nonce validation mechanisms. Nonce validation serves as a cryptographic token that ensures requests originate from legitimate sources and prevents unauthorized modifications to plugin configurations. Without this protection, the plugin exposes its administrative functionality to malicious actors who can exploit the absence of proper authentication checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of nonce verification within the ajax_save_folder_order function. This function is designed to handle folder reordering operations within the Wicked Folders plugin, but it lacks the cryptographic safeguards necessary to validate the authenticity of incoming requests. The vulnerability creates a path for cross-site request forgery attacks where an attacker can construct malicious requests that appear to originate from legitimate administrative users. The flaw specifically relates to CWE-352, which defines Cross-Site Request Forgery as a security weakness that allows attackers to perform actions on behalf of users without their knowledge or consent. The implementation failure in the plugin's AJAX handling mechanism creates a direct pathway for unauthorized modifications to folder structures, potentially compromising the entire content management workflow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation to potentially compromise the complete administrative integrity of WordPress sites using the affected plugin. An unauthenticated attacker can leverage this vulnerability to alter folder hierarchies, potentially disrupting content organization, breaking links, or creating unauthorized access paths within the plugin's functionality. The attack vector requires social engineering to trick administrators into clicking malicious links or visiting compromised websites, but once executed, it allows attackers to modify folder structures without requiring authentication credentials. This creates a significant risk for organizations that rely heavily on organized content management systems, as unauthorized folder modifications can lead to data corruption, accessibility issues, or potential information disclosure through manipulated content paths. The vulnerability's impact aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials use and T1566 which encompasses social engineering tactics.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-0730 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the nonce validation issue. System administrators must ensure all instances of the Wicked Folders plugin are upgraded to patched versions that implement proper nonce verification mechanisms. Additionally, implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring for unusual folder structure modifications and establish incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and proper input validation in web applications, particularly those handling administrative functions. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar nonce validation deficiencies that could expose systems to similar CSRF attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing role-based access controls and limiting administrative privileges to reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.