CVE-2023-47692 in Flo Forms Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/02/2025
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Flothemes Flo Forms allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Flo Forms: from n/a through 1.0.41.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-47692 represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the Flothemes Flo Forms plugin, which operates within wordpress ecosystems. This security weakness stems from improperly configured access control mechanisms that fail to adequately verify user permissions before granting access to sensitive functions or data. The vulnerability exists across all versions of the Flo Forms plugin from the initial release through version 1.0.41, indicating a prolonged period during which systems utilizing this plugin remained exposed to potential exploitation. The root cause of this issue aligns with CWE-285, which specifically addresses improper authorization within software applications, making it a fundamental access control weakness that undermines the security model of the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows malicious actors to bypass intended access restrictions by exploiting the absence of proper authorization checks within the plugin's code structure. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform unauthorized actions such as accessing form data, modifying form configurations, or potentially executing arbitrary code within the context of the vulnerable wordpress installation. The improperly configured security levels create a pathway for privilege escalation attacks where unauthenticated or low-privileged users can gain access to functionality typically restricted to administrators or authorized personnel. This misconfiguration directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in implementing proper input validation and access control verification mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-47692 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within the compromised wordpress environment. Organizations utilizing vulnerable versions of Flo Forms may experience unauthorized data manipulation, form tampering, or even complete compromise of the hosting environment if the attacker can leverage additional vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions suggests that organizations running affected installations face ongoing risk until proper patching or mitigation measures are implemented. This exposure could lead to regulatory compliance violations, reputational damage, and potential financial losses due to data breaches or service disruptions.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability by upgrading to a patched version of the Flo Forms plugin or implementing compensating controls such as web application firewalls and enhanced monitoring. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and credential access tactics, making it a significant concern for organizations that rely on wordpress platforms for business-critical applications. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify other potential access control weaknesses within their wordpress installations and implement proper access control lists that enforce the principle of least privilege. Additionally, regular security audits and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar misconfigurations that may exist in other plugins or components of the wordpress ecosystem, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authorization implementation in web applications.