CVE-2023-2172 in BadgeOS Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/31/2023
The BadgeOS plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Insecure Direct Object Reference in versions up to, and including, 3.7.1.6. This is due to improper validation and authorization checks within the badgeos_update_steps_ajax_handler, badgeos_update_award_steps_ajax_handler, badgeos_update_deduct_steps_ajax_handler, and badgeos_update_ranks_req_steps_ajax_handler functions. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level permissions and above, to overwrite arbitrary post titles.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2172 affects the BadgeOS plugin for WordPress, a popular platform for creating and managing badges and achievements within WordPress environments. This issue represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the plugin's access control mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically resides in version 3.7.1.6 and all preceding versions, making it a persistent threat to WordPress installations that rely on this badge management system. The flaw manifests through inadequate validation and authorization checks within four key functions that handle various badge and achievement operations, creating a pathway for unauthorized modifications to content within the WordPress ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and authorization controls within the plugin's AJAX handler functions. The affected functions badgeos_update_steps_ajax_handler, badgeos_update_award_steps_ajax_handler, badgeos_update_deduct_steps_ajax_handler, and badgeos_update_ranks_req_steps_ajax_handler all fail to properly verify user permissions before allowing modifications to post titles. This insecure direct object reference vulnerability allows authenticated users to manipulate object references directly without proper authorization checks, effectively bypassing the intended access controls. The flaw operates at the application level where user input is processed without adequate sanitization or validation, enabling attackers to target arbitrary posts within the WordPress database.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for WordPress administrators and site owners who depend on the BadgeOS plugin for their achievement and badge management systems. An authenticated attacker with subscriber-level permissions or higher can exploit this weakness to overwrite any post title within the WordPress installation, potentially causing disruption to content management, compromising data integrity, and creating opportunities for further attacks. This vulnerability essentially allows malicious actors to manipulate the content of posts that they should not be authorized to modify, which can lead to information disclosure, content tampering, and potential escalation of privileges within the WordPress environment. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only minimal user permissions, making it accessible to users who typically have limited access rights within the system.
Security professionals should address this vulnerability through immediate patching of the BadgeOS plugin to version 3.7.1.7 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the identified authorization flaws. Organizations should also implement monitoring of AJAX requests within their WordPress installations to detect unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control in software systems, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts with compromised credentials for lateral movement. Additionally, this issue demonstrates characteristics of privilege escalation through insecure object references, making it a critical concern for WordPress security posture management and overall web application security frameworks.