CVE-2023-4277 in Realia Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/10/2023
The Realia plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in versions up to, and including, 1.4.0. This is due to missing nonce validation on the 'process_change_profile_form' function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to change user email 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 • 04/10/2026
The Realia WordPress plugin vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw that affects versions through 1.4.0, creating a significant security risk for WordPress websites utilizing this plugin. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the plugin's core functionality, specifically within the process_change_profile_form function where nonce validation is completely absent. The absence of proper nonce implementation creates an exploitable condition that allows attackers to manipulate user profile information without proper authentication, fundamentally compromising the integrity of user account management systems. The vulnerability operates under the principle that attackers can craft malicious requests that, when executed by authenticated administrators, will modify user email addresses and potentially other profile data without the administrator's knowledge or consent.
The technical exploitation of this CSRF vulnerability follows a well-established attack pattern that aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery conditions in software applications. Attackers can construct forged requests that target the vulnerable plugin endpoint, leveraging the lack of nonce validation to execute unauthorized actions. The attack vector requires minimal privilege levels as it only necessitates that an administrator clicks on a malicious link or visits a compromised website, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently browse untrusted content. The vulnerability essentially removes the authentication check that should normally validate that a request originates from a legitimate source within the application context, creating a pathway for unauthorized modifications to user account information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple email address changes, as it represents a fundamental breach in the plugin's security model and could potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. When an administrator performs actions on a compromised site, the forged requests can modify user profiles, potentially leading to account takeover scenarios, privilege escalation, or data manipulation within the WordPress ecosystem. The vulnerability affects the core authentication and authorization mechanisms of the plugin, undermining trust in the user management system and potentially allowing attackers to gain deeper access to the website's administrative functions. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where administrators may have elevated privileges and access to sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for this CSRF vulnerability should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that implement proper nonce validation and authentication checks. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as content security policies, web application firewalls, and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 which addresses valid accounts and credential access. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their WordPress installations, review plugin security practices, and ensure that all third-party components implement proper security controls including CSRF protection mechanisms. Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues across the entire WordPress ecosystem and prevent exploitation of similar weaknesses in other plugins or themes.