CVE-2023-25486 in Clone Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/09/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Migrate Clone allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Clone: from n/a through 2.3.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2025
The CVE-2023-25486 vulnerability represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the Migrate Clone plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from n/a through 2.3.7. This security weakness stems from incorrectly configured access control security levels that fail to properly validate user permissions before granting access to sensitive functionality. The vulnerability exists at the authorization layer of the application, where proper access control mechanisms are either absent or improperly implemented, allowing unauthorized users to exploit the system's security boundaries.
This missing authorization issue falls under the CWE-862 category of "Missing Authorization" which is classified as a fundamental access control vulnerability. The flaw manifests when the plugin fails to verify whether a user possesses adequate privileges to perform specific operations within the migration and cloning processes. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain access to functionality that should be restricted to authorized administrators or users with specific permissions, potentially leading to unauthorized data manipulation, system compromise, or information disclosure. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it affects the core migration and cloning capabilities of the system, which typically involve sensitive data handling and system-level operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-25486 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to perform destructive operations within the affected system. When users bypass proper authorization checks, they may be able to clone sensitive data, modify migration configurations, or access restricted system components that could lead to complete system compromise. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where the Migrate Clone plugin is used for database migrations, content replication, or system backups, as these operations often require elevated privileges and handle confidential information. The attack surface is broadened because the issue affects all versions up to 2.3.7, indicating a persistent flaw in the plugin's security implementation that has not been adequately addressed in the affected releases.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of the Migrate Clone plugin where the vulnerability has been patched, reviewing and strengthening access control configurations, and implementing additional security monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques where adversaries leverage missing authorization controls to gain elevated system access. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation, access logging, and automated vulnerability scanning to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of third-party plugins and applications are crucial to identify similar authorization flaws that could compromise system integrity and data security.