CVE-2023-4687 in Pagelayer Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
The Page Builder: Pagelayer WordPress plugin before 1.7.7 doesn't prevent unauthenticated attackers from updating a post's header or footer code on scheduled posts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4687 affects the Page Builder: Pagelayer WordPress plugin version 1.7.6 and earlier, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of WordPress installations. This issue stems from insufficient authentication checks within the plugin's handling of scheduled posts, specifically targeting the modification of header and footer code elements. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit the plugin's functionality and inject malicious code into scheduled posts without requiring valid user credentials or administrative privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's failure to enforce proper authentication mechanisms when processing requests related to post header and footer modifications. According to CWE-285, this represents an insufficient authorization issue where the system grants access to privileged functions without proper verification of the user's credentials or permissions. The vulnerability exists because the plugin's code does not adequately validate whether the requesting user possesses the necessary privileges to modify scheduled post content, creating an unauthorized access vector that bypasses WordPress's standard security controls.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress site administrators and content creators who rely on scheduled publishing workflows. Attackers can exploit this flaw to inject malicious scripts, malware, or phishing content into scheduled posts, potentially compromising the entire website and its visitors. The impact extends beyond simple code injection as attackers can manipulate the website's header and footer elements to redirect traffic, steal cookies, or execute arbitrary commands on the target system. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as well as T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering, since compromised sites can be used for further attacks.
The exploitation of CVE-2023-4687 requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform persistent modifications to scheduled posts, potentially maintaining access over extended periods while remaining undetected within the WordPress ecosystem. The lack of authentication checks means that even basic website visitors can potentially compromise the site's integrity, as the vulnerability does not require any specific user account or session management bypass. Organizations using the Pagelayer plugin must consider the potential for data exfiltration, service disruption, and reputational damage that could result from unauthorized modifications to scheduled content.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate upgrade to Pagelayer plugin version 1.7.7 or later, which addresses the authentication flaw through proper access control enforcement. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as monitoring scheduled posts for unauthorized modifications, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting regular security audits of installed plugins. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and authentication checks in WordPress plugin development, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles. Organizations should also consider implementing role-based access controls and limiting plugin capabilities to reduce the attack surface available to potential attackers. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other installed plugins that may present similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities.