CVE-2023-46196 in Social Proof Testimonials and Reviews Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/02/2025
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Repuso Social proof testimonials and reviews by Repuso allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Social proof testimonials and reviews by Repuso: from n/a through 4.97.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-46196 represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the Repuso Social proof testimonials and reviews plugin for WordPress. This security weakness stems from incorrectly configured access control security levels that permit unauthorized users to exploit administrative functionalities intended only for privileged personnel. The vulnerability affects all versions of the plugin from the initial release through version 4.97, indicating a prolonged period during which the security flaw remained unaddressed. The issue manifests when the plugin fails to properly validate user permissions before executing administrative operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass normal access controls and perform actions they should not be authorized to undertake.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates as a classic authorization bypass where the plugin does not adequately verify whether the requesting user possesses sufficient privileges to access or modify specific features. The flaw likely resides in the plugin's permission checking mechanisms, where administrative functions lack proper user role validation or access control lists that should prevent non-administrative users from accessing sensitive operations. This misconfiguration allows attackers to manipulate the plugin's administrative interfaces through crafted requests, potentially enabling them to modify testimonials, delete reviews, or alter configuration settings that control how social proof elements are displayed on websites. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, specifically targeting the failure to properly enforce access controls for privileged operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, potentially enabling attackers to compromise entire websites through the exploitation of this authorization flaw. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they gain the ability to modify or delete customer testimonials and reviews that are crucial for building trust and credibility with website visitors. This can result in reputational damage, loss of customer confidence, and potential financial impact for businesses relying on social proof elements for conversion optimization. The vulnerability also presents a significant risk for websites that may be using the plugin to display sensitive information or customer data, as unauthorized modifications could expose confidential details or disrupt normal website operations. Furthermore, the persistent nature of this vulnerability across multiple versions suggests that websites may have been exposed to risk for an extended period without proper detection or mitigation.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of the plugin where the authorization flaw has been addressed, conducting thorough access control reviews, and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation and the potential consequences of failing to validate user permissions for privileged operations. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as web application firewalls, regular security audits, and monitoring for unauthorized administrative actions. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the necessity for robust authorization controls and proper input validation in web applications, particularly in plugins that handle user-generated content and administrative functions. The issue highlights the importance of adhering to security best practices and maintaining current software versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities that could compromise entire web platforms.