CVE-2023-4248 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_stripe_disconnect_connect_stripe_account function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to deactivate the plugin's stripe integration settings 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 • 06/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4248 affects the GiveWP plugin for WordPress, a popular donation platform that has been widely adopted by organizations seeking to facilitate online fundraising. This particular weakness resides in version 2.33.3 and earlier releases, representing a significant security risk for WordPress sites utilizing this plugin. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's Stripe integration functionality, which allows users to process payments through the Stripe payment processor. The flaw manifests in the give_stripe_disconnect_connect_stripe_account function where proper nonce validation is either absent or incorrectly implemented, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's trust model.
Cross-site request forgery represents a sophisticated attack vector that exploits the implicit trust that web applications place in authenticated users. In this case, the vulnerability stems from inadequate protection mechanisms that should have validated the authenticity of requests originating from legitimate administrators. The nonce validation mechanism serves as a cryptographic token that ensures requests are genuinely initiated by authorized users and not fabricated by attackers. When this protection fails, attackers can craft malicious requests that appear legitimate to the WordPress application, thereby bypassing the normal authentication and authorization checks that should prevent unauthorized modifications to critical system settings.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it allows attackers to fundamentally alter the payment processing capabilities of affected websites. By deactivating the Stripe integration, malicious actors can effectively disrupt donation processing for organizations relying on the GiveWP plugin, potentially causing financial losses and operational downtime. The attack requires only that administrators be tricked into clicking on malicious links, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently interact with external content or where social engineering attacks are common. This makes the vulnerability especially concerning for organizations that handle sensitive financial transactions and rely on automated payment processing systems.
Organizations should immediately update to patched versions of the GiveWP plugin to remediate this vulnerability, as no workarounds exist for this specific nonce validation issue. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including initial access through social engineering and privilege escalation via modification of critical system components. Security teams should implement comprehensive monitoring for unauthorized changes to Stripe integration settings and consider network-level protections to detect and block suspicious requests. Additionally, administrator training on recognizing phishing attempts and suspicious links becomes crucial in preventing exploitation of this vulnerability. The incident highlights the importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms in web applications, particularly those handling financial transactions and sensitive user data.