CVE-2023-23488 in Paid Memberships Pro Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/20/2023
The Paid Memberships Pro WordPress Plugin, version < 2.9.8, is affected by an unauthenticated SQL injection vulnerability in the 'code' parameter of the '/pmpro/v1/order' REST route.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-23488 affects the Paid Memberships Pro WordPress plugin, specifically versions prior to 2.9.8, and represents a critical security flaw that exposes the plugin to unauthenticated SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability resides within the REST API endpoint at /pmpro/v1/order where the 'code' parameter fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries. The flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands without requiring authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the affected WordPress site.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input handling within the plugin's REST API framework where the 'code' parameter is directly used in SQL query construction without adequate sanitization or parameterization. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as weaknesses that occur when an application incorporates untrusted data into SQL queries without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability exists at the intersection of REST API security and database query construction, where user-supplied data flows directly into backend database operations without appropriate security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform unauthorized database operations including but not limited to data extraction, modification, or deletion. An attacker could potentially access sensitive user information, membership data, payment records, and other confidential information stored within the plugin's database tables. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit means that no prior login credentials are required, making the attack surface significantly broader and the potential damage more substantial. This vulnerability could also serve as a stepping stone for further attacks within the WordPress environment, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-23488 primarily involve immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 2.9.8 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization measures for the REST API endpoint. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns targeting the specific REST route. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for unusual API access patterns, implementing rate limiting on REST endpoints, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all WordPress plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control communications and credential access, as attackers could potentially use the SQL injection to extract database credentials or establish persistent access through modified membership data. Regular security assessments and maintaining updated security tooling are essential for preventing exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the broader WordPress ecosystem.