CVE-2023-47762 in BetterDocs Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/09/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in WPDeveloper BetterDocs allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects BetterDocs: from n/a through 2.5.2.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2026
The CVE-2023-47762 vulnerability represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the WPDeveloper BetterDocs plugin, a popular documentation management solution for wordpress platforms. This security weakness stems from improperly configured access control mechanisms that fail to validate user permissions before granting access to sensitive administrative functions. The vulnerability exists across all versions of BetterDocs from the initial release through version 2.5.2, indicating a persistent flaw in the plugin's authorization framework that has remained unaddressed for an extended period. The issue directly impacts the plugin's ability to enforce proper access control policies, creating a pathway for unauthorized users to exploit administrative features that should be restricted to authorized personnel only.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through insufficient validation of user roles and capabilities within the plugin's codebase. When users attempt to access certain administrative endpoints or perform privileged operations, the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary permissions to execute these actions. This misconfiguration allows attackers to bypass standard authorization checks and gain access to documentation management features that should only be available to administrators or users with appropriate privileges. The flaw operates at the application level where access control decisions are made, making it particularly dangerous as it undermines the fundamental security model of the wordpress platform. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-285: Improper Authorization, which specifically addresses situations where the system fails to properly enforce access control policies. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects a widely used plugin, increasing the potential attack surface and the number of systems that could be compromised.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data exposure, privilege escalation, and administrative control compromise. An attacker exploiting this flaw could gain access to sensitive documentation content, modify or delete documentation entries, and potentially use the administrative capabilities to install malicious code or alter plugin configurations. The vulnerability creates a persistent security risk for wordpress sites using BetterDocs, as it allows attackers to perform administrative functions without proper authentication or authorization. This type of access control failure can be leveraged in combination with other vulnerabilities to establish a foothold within the wordpress environment, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004: Valid Accounts, where adversaries use legitimate credentials to access systems, but in this case, the vulnerability allows unauthorized access without proper credentials through flawed authorization mechanisms.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to the latest version of BetterDocs where the vulnerability has been addressed, and conducting thorough security audits of all wordpress installations to identify similar authorization flaws. The recommended remediation involves ensuring that all access control decisions are properly validated at the application level, implementing proper role-based access controls, and regularly reviewing plugin configurations for security compliance. Additional protective measures include monitoring access logs for suspicious activities, implementing network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, and maintaining up-to-date security patches for all wordpress components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in web applications and serves as a reminder that even minor authorization flaws can have significant security implications. Security teams should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect similar misconfigurations in other plugins and wordpress components to prevent similar issues from going undetected in the future.