CVE-2023-1919 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_save_settings_callback function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to change cache-related settings 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 environments, 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 controls for critical administrative functions. The flaw exists within the wpfc_preload_single_save_settings_callback function, which handles cache configuration modifications. When attackers can manipulate this function without proper authentication checks, they gain unauthorized access to cache management capabilities that should be restricted to legitimate administrators. The vulnerability stems from the absence of nonce validation, a fundamental security mechanism that prevents unauthorized actions from being executed on behalf of authenticated users.
This cross-site request forgery vulnerability operates by exploiting the trust relationship between the victim administrator and the targeted WordPress installation. Attackers can craft malicious requests that appear legitimate to the web application, leveraging the administrator's existing authenticated session. The attack requires social engineering elements where administrators are tricked into clicking malicious links or visiting compromised websites that trigger the forged requests. The nonce validation mechanism, which should generate unique tokens for each user session and verify their authenticity, is either completely absent or incorrectly implemented in this context. This allows attackers to bypass the standard security protocols that would normally prevent unauthorized modifications to cache settings. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to modify cache behavior, potentially leading to performance degradation or even complete site disruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple cache configuration changes. Attackers can manipulate cache settings to cause denial of service conditions, modify cache expiration times, or alter cache storage locations. These modifications can result in increased server load, degraded user experience, or complete cache invalidation that forces the site to regenerate cached content repeatedly. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to gain additional footholds within the WordPress environment, as cache misconfigurations can sometimes expose underlying system weaknesses. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability violates several security standards including those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing broken authentication and insufficient logging. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts and credential access through social engineering. The impact on business operations can be significant, as cache settings directly affect website performance and user experience.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the WP Fastest Cache plugin to version 1.1.3 or later, where the nonce validation has been properly implemented. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring for cache-related changes and establish automated alerting for unexpected configuration modifications. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. The security community recommends implementing proper input validation and output encoding practices, following CWE guidelines for cross-site request forgery prevention. Regular security audits should verify that all WordPress plugins implement appropriate nonce validation mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regularly review administrator access logs to detect suspicious activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper session management and authentication controls in web applications, particularly those handling administrative functions.