CVE-2023-44988 in WP Custom Admin Interface Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/02/2025
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Martin Gibson WP Custom Admin Interface allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects WP Custom Admin Interface: from n/a through 7.32.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2025
The CVE-2023-44988 vulnerability represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the Martin Gibson WP Custom Admin Interface plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from an unspecified starting point through version 7.32. This vulnerability falls under the category of incorrectly configured access control security levels, creating a significant risk for WordPress installations that rely on this administrative interface customization tool. The flaw stems from inadequate authorization checks that fail to properly verify user permissions before granting access to sensitive administrative functions, potentially allowing unauthorized users to execute privileged operations within the WordPress admin environment.
This security weakness manifests as a failure in the plugin's access control mechanisms, where proper authentication and authorization checks are either absent or improperly implemented. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass expected security boundaries that should normally restrict access to administrative features based on user roles and permissions. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and specifically relates to the improper enforcement of access control policies. The flaw represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege, where users may gain access to functionality beyond their intended permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can potentially allow attackers to escalate their privileges within the WordPress environment. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive administrative functions such as plugin management, theme customization, user account modifications, and system configuration changes. This presents a severe risk to WordPress installations, particularly those where the plugin is widely used or where administrators have granted broad access permissions to untrusted users. The vulnerability creates a persistent security risk that remains active as long as the affected plugin version is installed and active on the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-44988 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the authorization flaw, as recommended by the vendor and security advisories. Organizations should implement comprehensive access control reviews, ensuring that user roles and permissions are properly configured and regularly audited. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional monitoring and protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and conducting regular security assessments of WordPress plugins and themes. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1548 which covers abuse of privileges, indicating potential lateral movement and privilege escalation capabilities for attackers who successfully exploit this flaw.