CVE-2023-47792 in Big File Uploads Increase Maximum File Upload Size Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/22/2023
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Infinite Uploads Big File Uploads – Increase Maximum File Upload Size plugin <= 2.1.1 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2023
The CVE-2023-47792 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery weakness discovered in the Infinite Uploads Big File Uploads plugin for WordPress systems. This vulnerability affects versions 2.1.1 and earlier, exposing WordPress installations to unauthorized administrative actions that could be executed without user consent. The flaw specifically resides within the plugin's handling of file upload requests and administrative operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the trust relationship between users and the web application. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in implementing proper request validation and authentication mechanisms, which are essential components of secure web application design and align with CWE-352, the standard classification for cross-site request forgery vulnerabilities.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate the origin of requests made to its administrative endpoints. When users with administrative privileges access the plugin's file upload interface, the system does not adequately verify that the requests originate from legitimate sources within the same domain. Attackers can craft malicious web pages or emails containing embedded requests that, when visited by authenticated administrators, execute unauthorized actions such as modifying upload settings, deleting files, or potentially uploading malicious content. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer where administrative privileges are assumed, allowing attackers to perform operations that could severely compromise the entire WordPress installation. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and proper authentication enforcement as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, potentially enabling complete system compromise through chained attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this CSRF vulnerability could gain persistent access to the WordPress administration panel, allowing for ongoing unauthorized modifications to website content, user accounts, or system configurations. The ability to manipulate file upload settings creates additional attack vectors for further exploitation, including the potential for remote code execution through malicious file uploads. This vulnerability affects not only the immediate integrity of the website but also poses risks to the broader network infrastructure, as compromised WordPress installations often serve as entry points for larger attacks. The impact is particularly severe in environments where WordPress is used for critical business operations or contains sensitive user data, as demonstrated by various ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and persistence.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-47792 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the CSRF implementation flaws. Organizations must ensure that all instances of the Infinite Uploads plugin are updated to versions 2.1.2 or later, which contain proper anti-CSRF token implementations and request validation mechanisms. Network administrators should implement additional security layers including web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious request patterns, particularly those attempting to modify administrative settings. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper anti-CSRF token generation and validation should be enforced across all administrative interfaces. Security monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous administrative activity patterns that might indicate CSRF attack attempts, while regular security audits should verify that all WordPress plugins maintain current security standards. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts and regularly review plugin permissions to ensure that only necessary functionality is exposed to users. These measures align with the security best practices recommended by NIST SP 800-53 and other cybersecurity frameworks for protecting web applications against session management and authentication vulnerabilities.