CVE-2023-46206 in MW WP Form Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/02/2025
Missing Authorization vulnerability in websoudan MW WP Form allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects MW WP Form: from n/a through 4.4.5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2025
The CVE-2023-46206 vulnerability represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the websoudan MW WP Form plugin for WordPress systems. This security weakness stems from incorrectly configured access control mechanisms that fail to properly verify user permissions before granting access to sensitive administrative functions. The vulnerability exists across all versions of the plugin from the initial release through version 4.4.5, indicating a persistent flaw in the plugin's authorization framework that has remained unaddressed for an extended period. The issue fundamentally undermines the principle of least privilege by allowing unauthorized users to potentially access restricted administrative interfaces and perform actions that should be limited to authenticated administrators.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through insufficient validation of user roles and capabilities within the plugin's codebase. When users interact with the MW WP Form administrative interfaces, the system fails to properly authenticate and authorize access requests, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the missing authorization controls. This flaw typically occurs when the plugin does not adequately check whether the requesting user possesses the necessary capabilities to perform specific actions within the form management system. The vulnerability may be exploited through various attack vectors including direct API calls, form submissions, or administrative interface access attempts where proper access control checks are bypassed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to manipulate form configurations, extract sensitive data, modify form submissions, or potentially compromise the entire WordPress installation. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain the ability to modify form settings, access form submission data, create or delete forms, and potentially escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. This represents a significant risk to organizations relying on the plugin for form management, as the compromise of form data can lead to data breaches, privacy violations, and potential regulatory compliance issues. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization within software systems, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting through exploitation of access control flaws.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to the latest version of the MW WP Form plugin where the authorization flaw has been addressed, implementing additional access controls through WordPress security plugins, and conducting thorough audits of form configurations and user permissions. Network-level mitigations such as firewall rules and web application firewalls can help reduce the attack surface, while regular monitoring of administrative access logs should be implemented to detect suspicious activities. Security teams should also consider implementing role-based access controls that limit administrative capabilities to only essential personnel, and establish automated scanning procedures to identify other potentially vulnerable plugins or components within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing robust access control policies to prevent unauthorized administrative access and protect sensitive data within WordPress installations.