CVE-2023-23802 in HasThemes HT Easy GA4 Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/15/2023
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in HasThemes HT Easy GA4 ( Google Analytics 4 ) plugin <= 1.0.6 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2023
The CVE-2023-23802 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the HasThemes HT Easy GA4 plugin for WordPress, affecting versions up to and including 1.0.6. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of administrative actions, specifically in the way it processes user requests without proper validation of the request origin. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level privileges or higher to execute unauthorized administrative actions on vulnerable WordPress sites. The vulnerability stems from the absence of proper CSRF tokens in the plugin's administrative forms and endpoints, creating a scenario where malicious actors can trick authenticated users into performing unintended operations. The affected plugin integrates Google Analytics 4 tracking functionality into WordPress environments, making it a common target for attackers seeking to compromise website integrity and data confidentiality. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and authorization checks, as it enables unauthorized modifications to plugin settings and potentially impacts website analytics data. The flaw can be exploited through various attack vectors including social engineering techniques where users are诱导 to click malicious links or visit compromised websites while authenticated to the target WordPress site.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability occurs at the plugin's administrative interface level where form submissions lack proper validation mechanisms. The HT Easy GA4 plugin fails to implement anti-CSRF measures such as unique tokens or referer header checks that would normally prevent unauthorized requests from being processed. When an authenticated user visits a malicious page or clicks on a crafted link, the attacker can construct a request that appears legitimate to the WordPress admin system but is actually initiated by the victim's browser. This allows for arbitrary modifications to plugin configuration settings, potentially leading to data exfiltration or the injection of malicious tracking code. The vulnerability's exploitation is facilitated by the fact that the plugin's administrative endpoints do not verify that requests originate from legitimate sources within the same session. The flaw can be classified under CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1566.001 for spearphishing attachments. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that the plugin operates with elevated privileges within the WordPress environment, potentially allowing attackers to modify core tracking configurations that could be used for data manipulation or surveillance purposes.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-23802 extends beyond simple unauthorized modifications to encompass potential data integrity violations and privacy concerns within affected WordPress installations. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can manipulate Google Analytics 4 tracking parameters, potentially redirecting analytics data to malicious endpoints or injecting tracking code that monitors user behavior beyond the intended scope. The compromised plugin settings could enable attackers to exfiltrate sensitive information through analytics data collection or establish persistent monitoring capabilities. Organizations using the HT Easy GA4 plugin may experience unauthorized modifications to their website tracking configurations, leading to potential loss of valuable analytics data and compromised user privacy. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to perform more sophisticated attacks by leveraging the compromised plugin as a foothold for further exploitation within the WordPress environment. The impact is particularly concerning for businesses relying on accurate analytics data for decision-making processes, as the integrity of their tracking systems becomes compromised. Additionally, the vulnerability may be exploited as part of broader attack campaigns where attackers use the compromised plugin to establish persistence or facilitate additional compromise vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-23802 should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the CSRF vulnerability, as well as implementing additional defensive measures within the WordPress environment. Organizations should ensure all instances of the HT Easy GA4 plugin are updated to versions 1.0.7 or later, which contain the necessary CSRF protection mechanisms. Network-level defenses should include monitoring for suspicious administrative activities and implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block CSRF attack patterns. Administrators should also review user permissions and implement the principle of least privilege, ensuring that only necessary personnel have contributor or administrator access to WordPress sites. The implementation of multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts adds an additional layer of protection against unauthorized access. Security monitoring should include regular scanning for vulnerable plugins and implementation of automated patch management processes to ensure timely updates. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers that can prevent unauthorized script execution and reduce the impact of successful CSRF attacks. Regular security audits of WordPress installations should include checks for outdated plugins and themes, as well as verification of proper CSRF protection mechanisms in place. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the critical need for proper input validation and authorization checks in web applications.