CVE-2023-1918 in WP Fastest Cache Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/06/2023
The WP Fastest Cache plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in versions up to, and including, 1.1.2. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the wpfc_preload_single_callback function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to invoke a cache building action via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2026
The WP Fastest Cache plugin represents a widely used caching solution for WordPress installations, designed to improve website performance by storing static versions of web pages. This particular vulnerability affects versions up to and including 1.1.2, where the plugin fails to implement proper security measures for critical administrative functions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation mechanisms within the wpfc_preload_single_callback function, which is responsible for initiating cache building operations. This flaw creates a significant security risk for WordPress sites that rely on this plugin for performance optimization.
The core technical issue involves the absence of nonce validation in the affected function, which serves as a cryptographic token to verify that administrative actions originate from legitimate sources within the WordPress administration interface. Without proper nonce verification, an attacker can construct malicious requests that appear to come from authenticated administrators. The vulnerability specifically targets the preload functionality, which rebuilds cache files for specific pages, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate cache states or trigger resource-intensive operations that could impact site performance or availability.
This cross-site request forgery vulnerability operates under the principle that administrators may be tricked into performing actions through social engineering techniques such as clicking on malicious links or visiting compromised websites. The attack requires minimal privileges since the vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit the function, though successful exploitation still depends on the administrator being logged into the WordPress administration panel. The impact extends beyond simple cache manipulation, as it could potentially be leveraged to cause denial of service conditions through excessive cache rebuilding operations or to manipulate cached content in ways that might affect site functionality or security.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which involves social engineering through spearphishing with links, as attackers would need to convince administrators to click on malicious payloads. The attack vector represents a critical security gap in WordPress plugin security practices, where the absence of proper input validation and authentication checks creates opportunities for privilege escalation and operational disruption.
Organizations should immediately update to versions of WP Fastest Cache that address this vulnerability, as the plugin's widespread adoption means that many WordPress sites could be at risk. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing proper nonce validation mechanisms in all administrative functions and ensuring that all user interactions with administrative endpoints require valid authentication tokens. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing additional security measures such as role-based access controls and monitoring for unusual cache rebuilding activities. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities, as this particular flaw demonstrates the importance of proper security implementation in widely deployed web applications.