CVE-2023-4246 in GiveWP Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/11/2024
The GiveWP plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in versions up to, and including, 2.33.3. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the give_sendwp_remote_install_handler function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to install and activate the SendWP plugin via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4246 affects the GiveWP plugin for WordPress, a popular donation management solution that has been widely adopted across the WordPress ecosystem. This particular flaw represents a critical security weakness that could enable attackers to compromise WordPress sites through a sophisticated cross-site request forgery attack. The vulnerability specifically targets versions of the plugin up to and including 2.33.3, making it a significant concern for site administrators who have not yet updated their installations. The flaw stems from inadequate validation mechanisms within the plugin's core functionality, creating an exploitable pathway that bypasses standard WordPress security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the give_sendwp_remote_install_handler function which lacks proper nonce validation. A nonce is a cryptographic value that ensures requests originate from legitimate sources and prevents unauthorized operations from being executed. In this case, the absence of proper nonce verification means that malicious actors can craft forged HTTP requests that appear to come from legitimate administrative actions. This weakness allows attackers to install and activate the SendWP plugin without proper authentication, effectively granting them unauthorized access to extend the site's functionality through a third-party plugin installation. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the trust relationship between WordPress administrators and their site's plugin management system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized plugin installation, as it creates a persistent backdoor opportunity for attackers to establish ongoing access to compromised WordPress sites. Once the SendWP plugin is installed and activated, attackers can leverage its functionality to perform additional malicious activities including data exfiltration, further privilege escalation, or even use it as a staging area for more sophisticated attacks. The attack vector requires social engineering to trick administrators into clicking malicious links, but this is often achievable through phishing campaigns or compromised websites. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise while potentially remaining undetected for extended periods. The vulnerability directly aligns with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute code through compromised plugin installations.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate patching of affected GiveWP installations to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability can be exploited without authentication and provides attackers with a straightforward path to compromise WordPress sites. The fix for this vulnerability involves implementing proper nonce validation in the give_sendwp_remote_install_handler function, ensuring that all plugin installation requests are properly authenticated and verified. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect suspicious plugin installation activities and consider implementing additional security measures such as web application firewalls and privileged access management controls. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms in WordPress plugins, as outlined in CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery vulnerabilities. The incident underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of plugins before deployment and regular security audits of installed WordPress components to maintain robust security postures against evolving threats.