CVE-2023-3459 in Export and Import Users and Customers Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/18/2023
The Export and Import Users and Customers plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the 'hf_update_customer' function called via an AJAX action in versions up to, and including, 2.4.1. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with shop manager-level permissions to change user passwords and potentially take over administrator accounts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2023
The CVE-2023-3459 vulnerability affects the Export and Import Users and Customers plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 2.4.1. This security flaw represents a critical authorization bypass issue that allows authenticated attackers with shop manager privileges to manipulate user data without proper authorization. The vulnerability stems from a fundamental missing capability check within the plugin's codebase, specifically in the 'hf_update_customer' function that handles customer data modifications through AJAX requests. The flaw enables attackers to exploit the plugin's functionality to modify user passwords and potentially escalate their privileges to administrator level access, creating a significant risk for WordPress sites that utilize this plugin.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves an AJAX action that calls the 'hf_update_customer' function without verifying whether the authenticated user possesses the necessary permissions to perform the requested modifications. This missing capability check creates an authorization gap that allows attackers with shop manager-level access to manipulate customer data, including user credentials, through the plugin's administrative interface. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-284, which describes improper access control, and falls under the broader category of privilege escalation flaws that enable attackers to perform actions beyond their intended permissions. Attackers can leverage this weakness to change user passwords, potentially gaining access to administrator accounts and compromising the entire WordPress installation.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-3459 extends beyond simple data modification, as it creates a pathway for full system compromise when attackers can escalate their privileges through password changes. Shop managers typically have limited administrative capabilities within WooCommerce environments, but this vulnerability allows them to bypass those restrictions and potentially assume full administrative control. The attack vector requires only authentication as a shop manager, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have varying permission levels. This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized data manipulation, account takeovers, and potential data breaches that could affect customer information and business operations. The impact is particularly severe in e-commerce environments where user data and transaction records are stored, as attackers could modify customer accounts and potentially access sensitive financial information.
Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of the Export and Import Users and Customers plugin to remediate this vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring for suspicious administrative activities and user account modifications within their WordPress environments. Security teams should review user permissions and ensure that only trusted individuals have shop manager privileges. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation and capability verification in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar authorization gaps in other plugins and custom code implementations.