CVE-2023-2547 in Feather Login Page
Summary
by MITRE • 05/31/2023
The Feather Login Page plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized loss of data due to a missing capability check on the 'deleteUser' function in versions starting from 1.0.7 up to, and including, 1.1.1. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level permissions and above, to delete the temp user generated by the plugin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2547 affects the Feather Login Page plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions 1.0.7 through 1.1.1. This represents a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security model of the affected WordPress installation. The vulnerability stems from a missing capability check within the plugin's codebase, creating an exploitable condition that allows authenticated users to perform unauthorized actions. The affected function 'deleteUser' lacks proper permission verification, enabling malicious actors with subscriber-level privileges or higher to manipulate user data within the plugin's scope.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms. When the 'deleteUser' function is invoked, it fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses adequate privileges to perform the deletion operation. This missing capability check creates a path for privilege escalation and unauthorized data manipulation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the WordPress plugin ecosystem where users may have varying permission levels, and the lack of proper authorization validation allows lower-privileged users to execute actions typically restricted to administrators or higher-level roles. This flaw aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software applications.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress site administrators and their users. An authenticated attacker with subscriber-level permissions can exploit this weakness to delete temporary users created by the Feather Login Page plugin, potentially disrupting user authentication flows and compromising the integrity of the login system. The impact extends beyond simple data loss, as the deletion of temporary users may affect the plugin's functionality and create inconsistencies in user management processes. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to systematically remove user accounts, causing service disruption and potentially gaining insights into the system's user base. The vulnerability also represents a potential vector for denial-of-service attacks, as the deletion of critical temporary accounts could prevent legitimate users from completing authentication processes.
The security implications of CVE-2023-2547 align with several ATT&CK framework techniques including privilege escalation and credential access. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized actions that would normally require higher privileges, effectively bypassing the intended access controls. This weakness also facilitates potential credential theft and account manipulation, as temporary user accounts often contain sensitive authentication information. Organizations running affected WordPress installations should immediately consider this vulnerability as a high-priority threat, particularly in environments where multiple user roles exist and where the plugin is actively used for user authentication management.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate plugin updates to versions that address the missing capability check, as well as implementing additional access control measures. Site administrators should review user permissions and ensure that only trusted users have access to plugin functionality that could be exploited. Network-level monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in user account deletion activities. The recommended approach includes updating to the latest plugin version, implementing proper input validation, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed plugins. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and access control lists to provide defense-in-depth against similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other parts of their WordPress installations. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be maintained to identify and remediate similar authorization flaws across the entire WordPress ecosystem.