CVE-2023-0958 in Inisev Plugins
Summary
by MITRE • 07/28/2023
Several plugins for WordPress by Inisev are vulnerable to unauthorized installation of plugins due to a missing capability check on the handle_installation function that is called via the inisev_installation AJAX aciton in various versions. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers with minimal permissions, such as subscribers, to install select plugins from Inisev on vulnerable sites. CVE-2023-38514 appears to be a duplicate of this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-0958 represents a critical authorization bypass flaw within multiple WordPress plugins developed by Inisev. This security weakness stems from insufficient capability validation within the handle_installation function, which is invoked through the inisev_installation AJAX action. The flaw exists across various versions of the affected plugins, creating a persistent risk for WordPress installations that utilize these components. Security researchers have identified that this vulnerability allows attackers with minimal user permissions to escalate their privileges and install malicious plugins on compromised sites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it demonstrates a fundamental failure in access control implementation within WordPress plugin architecture.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-863, which describes "Incorrect Authorization" - a condition where a system fails to properly verify that an entity has sufficient authorization to perform a requested operation. The flaw manifests in the absence of proper capability checks within the AJAX handler, allowing unauthorized users to execute plugin installation routines. Attackers can exploit this by leveraging the inisev_installation AJAX action, which should only be accessible to administrators or users with appropriate privileges. The vulnerability enables a scenario where a subscriber-level user can manipulate the plugin installation process, potentially leading to full site compromise through the installation of malicious or backdoor plugins.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for WordPress site administrators who may not be aware of the specific plugins installed on their sites. The attack surface expands beyond typical WordPress security boundaries since the vulnerability exists within third-party plugin code rather than core WordPress functionality. This makes detection more challenging as security monitoring systems may not specifically flag unauthorized plugin installations through AJAX endpoints. The impact extends to potential data breaches, site defacement, and the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement in web applications, particularly when dealing with administrative functions that can be triggered through asynchronous requests.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates from Inisev, which should include proper capability checks and authorization validation. Administrators should implement network-level monitoring to detect unusual AJAX activity patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting user permissions to only what is necessary for their role, reducing the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and security headers can provide additional layers of protection. This vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security audits of third-party plugins and the necessity of maintaining up-to-date software components. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect misconfigurations in AJAX handlers and other potentially dangerous web application functions. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that even seemingly minor access control oversights can lead to significant security implications in web applications.