CVE-2023-22699 in Wordfence Extension Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/25/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in MainWP MainWP Wordfence Extension.This issue affects MainWP Wordfence Extension: from n/a through 4.0.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2026
The CVE-2023-22699 vulnerability represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the MainWP Wordfence Extension, a widely used WordPress management tool that allows users to monitor and manage multiple WordPress sites from a single dashboard. This vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the extension ranging from the initial release through version 4.0.7, creating a significant security risk for administrators who rely on this tool for their WordPress site management operations. The issue stems from insufficient access controls that fail to properly verify user permissions before executing sensitive administrative functions, potentially allowing unauthorized individuals to perform actions they should not be permitted to carry out.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the CWE-863 category of "Incorrect Authorization," which is classified as a fundamental access control weakness in software systems. The flaw manifests when the extension fails to validate whether the requesting user possesses the necessary privileges to access or modify specific Wordfence security settings and configurations. This missing authorization check creates a pathway for attackers to escalate their privileges and execute administrative commands on managed WordPress sites through the MainWP dashboard interface. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application level, where it can bypass traditional network-based security controls and directly impact the core security posture of WordPress installations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability exposes organizations to severe risks including unauthorized modification of security policies, potential data breaches, and complete compromise of managed WordPress environments. Attackers could leverage this flaw to disable security monitoring features, modify firewall rules, or access sensitive configuration data that would normally be restricted to authorized administrators. The impact extends beyond individual site security to potentially affect entire networks of WordPress installations managed through the MainWP platform, making it a critical concern for managed service providers and enterprise organizations relying on this extension for their WordPress site management operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-22699 should prioritize immediate remediation through the installation of the latest available version of the MainWP Wordfence Extension that addresses this authorization flaw. Organizations should also implement additional security controls including network segmentation, multi-factor authentication for administrative access, and regular security audits of their WordPress management tools. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers legitimate credentials, as attackers could potentially use this flaw to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous access patterns to WordPress security configurations and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing this type of authorization bypass vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that the updated extension does not introduce compatibility issues with existing WordPress site configurations while maintaining the integrity of the security controls that the MainWP Wordfence Extension is designed to provide.