CVE-2023-34014 in Grid Plus Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/13/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in G5Theme Grid Plus allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Grid Plus: from n/a through 1.3.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2024
The CVE-2023-34014 vulnerability represents a critical authorization flaw within the G5Theme Grid Plus WordPress plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from the initial release through 1.3.2. This missing authorization vulnerability falls under the broader category of improper access control configurations that can severely compromise the security posture of affected systems. The vulnerability stems from incorrect configuration of access control security levels, which allows unauthorized users to exploit functionality that should be restricted to privileged administrators. This issue directly violates fundamental security principles and creates a pathway for attackers to bypass intended access controls and gain unauthorized access to administrative features or sensitive data within the plugin's framework.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests as an insufficient validation mechanism that fails to properly verify user privileges before granting access to administrative functions. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific requests that bypass the normal authorization checks, potentially allowing them to perform actions such as modifying plugin settings, accessing restricted content, or manipulating user data. The flaw exists because the plugin does not adequately enforce role-based access controls, enabling users with minimal privileges to execute administrative operations that should require higher authorization levels. This misconfiguration creates a persistent security gap that can be exploited across multiple attack vectors, including direct API calls, web interface manipulation, or through crafted malicious payloads that leverage the plugin's functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistent footholds within affected WordPress environments. Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a significant risk to content management system integrity, particularly in environments where multiple user roles exist and proper privilege separation is essential. The vulnerability can facilitate more severe attacks including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or the installation of malicious code within the WordPress ecosystem. Organizations utilizing Grid Plus plugin versions within the affected range face increased risk of compromise, as this flaw can be exploited without requiring advanced technical skills or specific conditions, making it particularly dangerous in environments with less sophisticated security monitoring capabilities.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of the Grid Plus plugin where available, as this typically represents the most effective solution to address the authorization gap. Security teams should also consider implementing additional access controls through web application firewalls or security headers that can detect and block unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering attacks that may leverage this flaw. System administrators should conduct thorough security audits of their WordPress installations to identify any other plugins or themes that may exhibit similar authorization flaws and implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious administrative activities that could indicate exploitation attempts.