CVE-2023-3664 in FileOrganizer Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/25/2023
The FileOrganizer WordPress plugin through 1.0.2 does not restrict functionality on multisite instances, allowing site admins to gain full control over the server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2024
The FileOrganizer WordPress plugin version 1.0.2 contains a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that affects multisite WordPress installations. This vulnerability stems from insufficient access control mechanisms within the plugin's architecture, specifically failing to properly validate user permissions when executing administrative functions across multiple sites within a single WordPress network. The flaw allows malicious actors with site administrator privileges to escalate their access and gain full control over the underlying server infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the plugin's failure to enforce proper multisite security boundaries. When WordPress operates in multisite mode, each site within the network should maintain its own security context and access controls. However, FileOrganizer does not adequately verify whether the requesting user has appropriate permissions to execute certain administrative operations that could affect the entire server. This creates a scenario where a compromised site administrator can leverage the plugin's functionality to perform actions that should be restricted to network-level administrators or super users.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to WordPress multisite environments as it directly undermines the fundamental security model of networked installations. The impact extends beyond individual site compromise, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive data, modify core system files, install malicious plugins, or even execute arbitrary code on the server. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates silently without requiring additional authentication mechanisms or complex attack vectors, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically addressing improper access control in multi-tenant environments. It also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts, as attackers can leverage legitimate site administrator credentials to escalate privileges within the network. Additionally, this flaw represents a privilege escalation vector that could enable further lateral movement throughout the WordPress network, potentially leading to complete compromise of the entire multisite installation.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest plugin version if available, implementing network-level access controls to restrict plugin functionality, and monitoring for unusual administrative activity within multisite environments. System administrators should also consider disabling the plugin entirely if it cannot be updated or if the risk assessment determines it as too high. The recommended approach involves establishing proper access control lists for plugin functions and implementing additional security layers such as web application firewalls that can detect and block unauthorized administrative operations within multisite configurations.