CVE-2023-4643 in Enable Media Replace Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
The Enable Media Replace WordPress plugin before 4.1.3 unserializes user input via the Remove Background feature, which could allow Author+ users to perform PHP Object Injection when a suitable gadget is present on the blog
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2023
The CVE-2023-4643 vulnerability affects the Enable Media Replace WordPress plugin version 4.1.2 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk through improper handling of user input during the Remove Background feature execution. This flaw enables privilege escalation attacks where users with Author+ roles can potentially execute arbitrary PHP code on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize and validate user-provided data during the unserialization process, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through PHP object injection techniques. The issue specifically manifests when the plugin processes user input through the Remove Background functionality, which lacks adequate input validation mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the presence of suitable PHP gadgets within the target WordPress installation, making it a complex attack vector that requires both the vulnerable plugin and appropriate gadget chains to be present. The flaw operates at the core level of PHP serialization handling, where user-controllable data is directly unserialized without proper sanitization checks. This creates a dangerous environment where malicious payloads can be injected and executed with the privileges of the affected user account. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows users with relatively low privileges to potentially escalate their access rights and execute arbitrary code on the server. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform remote code execution, data exfiltration, or system compromise operations that would normally require higher administrative privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-4643 extends beyond simple code execution, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of WordPress installations relying on this plugin. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate system but can potentially lead to complete compromise of the WordPress environment, including access to sensitive user data, database manipulation, and potential lateral movement within network infrastructure. Organizations using vulnerable versions of the Enable Media Replace plugin face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and system integrity violations. The attack surface is particularly broad since the vulnerability affects WordPress installations with Author+ user roles, which are common in many blog environments and content management systems. This makes the exploitation more likely in real-world scenarios where administrators often grant editing privileges to multiple users.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including updating the Enable Media Replace plugin to version 4.1.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the PHP object injection flaw. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting user privileges, monitoring for unauthorized plugin modifications, and conducting regular security audits of WordPress installations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-502 which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should be enforced across all web application development. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection measures to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the T1068 privilege escalation method where attackers leverage application flaws to gain elevated system access. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other plugins and themes that may be vulnerable to similar deserialization attacks.