CVE-2023-46204 in Duplicate Theme Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Muller Digital Inc. Duplicate Theme plugin <= 0.1.6 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
Cross-site request forgery vulnerabilities represent a critical class of web application security flaws that allow attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. The specific vulnerability identified in Muller Digital Inc.'s Duplicate Theme plugin affects versions 0.1.6 and earlier, creating a significant risk for WordPress installations that utilize this plugin. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. The flaw manifests when the plugin fails to implement proper anti-CSRF measures, leaving users susceptible to malicious requests that can manipulate plugin functionality without their knowledge or consent.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper request validation mechanisms within the plugin's processing functions. When users access certain administrative pages or perform actions through the plugin interface, the system does not adequately verify the origin of requests or validate the authenticity of user intent. This weakness enables attackers to craft malicious requests that appear to originate from legitimate administrative sessions, exploiting the trust relationship between the web application and authenticated users. The vulnerability specifically impacts the plugin's ability to distinguish between authorized and unauthorized requests, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary actions within the plugin's operational scope.
The operational impact of this CSRF vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation to potentially compromise entire WordPress installations. Attackers can leverage this weakness to duplicate themes, modify plugin configurations, or perform other administrative tasks that could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently use the plugin's functionality, as the attack surface increases with user engagement. According to ATT&CK framework category T1548.003, this vulnerability enables privilege escalation through the manipulation of authenticated sessions, potentially allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges within the WordPress environment. The risk is amplified when considering that many WordPress administrators may not regularly update their plugins, leaving these systems exposed to exploitation for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for this CSRF vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary solution involves implementing robust anti-CSRF token mechanisms throughout the plugin's administrative interfaces, ensuring that each request contains a unique, unpredictable token that validates user authenticity. Security professionals should also implement proper referer header validation and origin checking to prevent unauthorized requests from being processed. Additionally, the plugin should enforce strict input validation and implement proper session management practices to ensure that all administrative actions require explicit user confirmation. Organizations should establish regular plugin update procedures and maintain comprehensive vulnerability scanning processes to identify similar weaknesses in other third-party components. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper HTTP response headers can further reduce the attack surface by limiting the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.