CVE-2023-2561 in Gallery Metabox Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2023
The Gallery Metabox for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the gallery_remove function in versions up to, and including, 1.5. This makes it possible for subscriber-level attackers to modify galleries attached to posts and pages with this plugin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2561 affects the Gallery Metabox plugin for WordPress, representing a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security model of content management systems. This issue stems from a fundamental missing capability check within the gallery_remove function, which operates without proper user permission validation. The flaw exists in plugin versions up to and including 1.5, creating a persistent security risk for WordPress installations that utilize this specific plugin. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, and demonstrates how insufficient privilege validation can lead to unauthorized data manipulation within web applications. The affected plugin's architecture fails to implement proper role-based access controls, allowing attackers with minimal privileges to execute operations that should be restricted to administrators or editors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the gallery_remove function, which lacks any verification of user capabilities before processing gallery modification requests. Attackers with subscriber-level accounts can leverage this flaw to remove or alter gallery content attached to posts and pages, effectively bypassing the normal WordPress permission system. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege, where users should only have access to resources and functions necessary for their role. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data modification, as it enables attackers to potentially disrupt content presentation, remove important visual elements, or manipulate media associations within WordPress posts. The function's absence of capability checks creates an attack surface that allows unauthorized users to perform administrative actions through legitimate plugin interfaces.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risks to WordPress site owners and administrators who may not immediately detect unauthorized modifications to their gallery content. The attack vector requires minimal privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users who have registered accounts on the site. The vulnerability affects all posts and pages that utilize the Gallery Metabox plugin, creating widespread potential for data integrity compromise. Security monitoring systems may not immediately flag these modifications as suspicious since they occur through legitimate plugin functions, potentially allowing attackers to maintain persistent access or cause damage over extended periods. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to reputational damage, content manipulation, and potential data loss scenarios that directly impact the integrity of WordPress sites relying on this plugin.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate plugin updates to versions that address the missing capability check in the gallery_remove function, aligning with the principle of keeping software components current with security patches. Administrators should implement additional monitoring of gallery-related modifications and consider restricting user registration privileges where possible. The vulnerability's resolution demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation in web applications, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security framework. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can monitor for unusual patterns of gallery modifications, particularly those originating from low-privilege accounts. The incident underscores the necessity of conducting regular security audits of WordPress plugins, as third-party components often represent significant attack vectors that require ongoing security assessment and validation. This vulnerability serves as a reminder that even seemingly minor functionality gaps in plugins can create substantial security risks when they involve data modification operations.