CVE-2023-45831 in Google AMP for WordPress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Pixelative, Mohsin Rafique AMP WP – Google AMP For WordPress plugin <= 1.5.15 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2023
The Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-45831 affects the Pixelative Mohsin Rafique AMP WP – Google AMP For WordPress plugin, specifically versions 1.5.15 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the WordPress plugin ecosystem and represents a critical security flaw that could allow unauthorized actions to be performed on behalf of authenticated users. The issue manifests in the plugin's handling of user requests and lacks proper validation mechanisms to verify the authenticity of incoming requests.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient CSRF protection measures within the plugin's administrative interfaces. When users access the plugin's settings or perform administrative actions, the system fails to implement adequate anti-CSRF tokens or similar validation mechanisms. This absence creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can craft forged requests that appear to originate from legitimate administrators. The vulnerability operates under CWE-352 which categorizes Cross-Site Request Forgery flaws as weaknesses that permit unauthorized commands to be executed on behalf of authenticated users.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress installations utilizing the affected plugin version. Attackers could leverage this flaw to perform unauthorized modifications to plugin settings, potentially leading to complete compromise of the affected WordPress site. The impact extends beyond simple configuration changes as the vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate core WordPress functionality or inject malicious code. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the plugin is designed to enhance Google AMP functionality, which directly affects site performance and user experience.
The exploitation of CVE-2023-45831 aligns with ATT&CK technique T1548.002 which involves bypassing user account controls through manipulation of authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability allows adversaries to execute actions with elevated privileges without proper authentication, effectively bypassing the normal access controls that should protect administrative functions. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a critical risk to WordPress security posture, particularly in environments where multiple administrators have access to the affected plugin.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to plugin versions that address the CSRF implementation issues. Users should also implement additional security measures such as network-level access controls, monitoring for suspicious administrative activities, and regular security audits of installed plugins. The recommended approach involves updating to the latest available version of the Pixelative Mohsin Rafique AMP WP plugin, which should include proper CSRF token implementation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular patch management procedures should be enforced to maintain protection against similar vulnerabilities in other plugins within the WordPress ecosystem.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms in web applications. It also highlights the necessity of following established security frameworks and standards when developing WordPress plugins. The affected plugin's failure to implement adequate CSRF protection represents a significant gap in security best practices that could be addressed through better adherence to industry standards and security guidelines. Security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments of their WordPress installations to identify other potentially vulnerable plugins and ensure all components maintain proper security controls against similar threats.