CVE-2023-28696 in I Recommend This Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/13/2023
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Harish Chouhan, Themeist I Recommend This allows Cross Site Request Forgery.This issue affects I Recommend This: from n/a through 3.9.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2025
The CVE-2023-28696 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the I Recommend This plugin for WordPress, developed by Harish Chouhan and distributed through Themeist. This vulnerability exists in versions ranging from the initial release through 3.9.0, creating a persistent security risk for WordPress sites utilizing this plugin. The flaw specifically targets the plugin's handling of user authentication tokens and request validation mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to execute unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of the referer header and lack of proper CSRF token implementation, which are fundamental security controls for preventing unauthorized requests from being processed by web applications. This issue directly violates the principles of secure web application development and represents a significant weakness in the plugin's defensive architecture.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability occurs when the plugin fails to properly verify the authenticity of incoming requests through the absence of a valid CSRF token or proper referer validation. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious web pages or emails that, when visited by authenticated users, automatically submit requests to the vulnerable plugin endpoints. The flaw allows unauthorized modifications to user preferences, content recommendations, or other plugin-specific configurations without proper user consent or authentication verification. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. The attack vector leverages the trust relationship between the web application and the user's browser, exploiting the fact that browsers automatically include authentication cookies with requests to the same origin, making it possible for attackers to perform actions without the user's knowledge or consent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation to potentially compromise user privacy and site integrity. An attacker could use this vulnerability to modify user settings, manipulate recommendation algorithms, or even gain unauthorized access to sensitive plugin functionalities that should be restricted to authorized administrators. The vulnerability affects WordPress sites using the I Recommend This plugin, which could include e-commerce platforms, content management systems, or social networking sites where user recommendations play a crucial role in user engagement. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where users have elevated privileges or where the plugin integrates with other sensitive components of the WordPress ecosystem. This vulnerability can be exploited through various attack methods including phishing campaigns, malicious website embedding, or automated exploitation tools that take advantage of the lack of proper request validation mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-28696 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the CSRF implementation flaws. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring for unauthorized changes to plugin configurations and user preferences, while also establishing proper input validation and CSRF token mechanisms. The remediation process must include immediate patching of affected installations, followed by thorough security auditing of all plugin components that handle user data or perform privileged operations. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious request patterns, and consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the scope of potential exploitation. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for External Remote Services and T1566.001 for Phishing demonstrates the multi-layered attack surface and the need for comprehensive defensive measures. Security teams should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect similar CSRF patterns in other plugins and themes, ensuring that the entire WordPress ecosystem remains protected against such exploitation vectors.