CVE-2023-35041 in Web Push Notifications Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/13/2023
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability leading to Local File Inclusion (LF) in Webpushr Web Push Notifications Web Push Notifications – Webpushr plugin <= 4.34.0 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2023
The CVE-2023-35041 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Webpushr Web Push Notifications plugin for WordPress systems, affecting versions up to and including 4.34.0. This vulnerability combines elements of cross-site request forgery with local file inclusion, creating a dangerous attack vector that can compromise WordPress installations. The flaw stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of user-supplied input within the plugin's administrative interfaces, particularly in parameters handling file operations. The vulnerability exists due to inadequate protection mechanisms that fail to verify the authenticity of requests originating from legitimate administrative users, allowing malicious actors to craft forged requests that appear to come from authorized administrators.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a CSRF attack that manipulates the victim's browser into executing unauthorized actions within the context of an authenticated WordPress session. When an administrator interacts with the vulnerable plugin interface, the malicious request can include parameters that specify local file paths or references, enabling an attacker to leverage the LFI capability. This dual nature of the vulnerability means that an attacker first needs to establish a session through CSRF, then exploit the LFI component to read or potentially execute local files on the server. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through simple web browser interactions, requiring minimal technical knowledge to execute. The attack chain typically involves sending a crafted request that bypasses standard CSRF protection mechanisms while simultaneously introducing file inclusion parameters that the plugin fails to properly validate.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or system compromise, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges and gain deeper access to the WordPress installation. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to read sensitive files such as wp-config.php containing database credentials, plugin files, or other system configuration data that could be used for further attacks. The vulnerability also poses risks to data integrity and availability, as attackers could potentially modify or delete critical system files through the LFI component. This type of vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise, especially when combined with other exploitation techniques, and can result in persistent backdoors being installed on the affected systems. The impact is particularly severe in environments where WordPress is used for content management, e-commerce, or other sensitive applications where data protection and system integrity are paramount.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched version of the Webpushr plugin, which addresses both the CSRF and LFI components of the vulnerability. The recommended approach involves applying the vendor-supplied security patch that includes proper CSRF token validation and input sanitization for file operations. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with rules that detect and block suspicious file inclusion patterns can provide an additional layer of protection. Network segmentation and privileged access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file access patterns and authentication requests that may indicate CSRF attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352 for CSRF and CWE-98 for LFI, and its exploitation patterns correspond to ATT&CK techniques including T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering, making it a significant concern for enterprise security teams. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other plugins and components of the WordPress ecosystem, as this type of vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms in web applications.