CVE-2023-4792 in Duplicate Post Page Menu & Custom Post Type Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/07/2023
The Duplicate Post Page Menu & Custom Post Type plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized page and post duplication due to a missing capability check on the duplicate_ppmc_post_as_draft function in versions up to, and including, 2.3.1. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers with subscriber access or higher to duplicate posts and pages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2026
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2023-4792 affects the Duplicate Post Page Menu & Custom Post Type plugin for WordPress, representing a critical authorization flaw that undermines the platform's security model. This issue stems from a missing capability check within the duplicate_ppmc_post_as_draft function, which is designed to handle the duplication of posts and pages within the WordPress administration interface. The flaw specifically impacts versions up to and including 2.3.1, leaving a significant portion of WordPress installations exposed to potential exploitation. The vulnerability allows authenticated attackers who possess subscriber-level access or higher privileges to perform unauthorized duplication operations, effectively bypassing the intended access controls that should restrict such actions to authorized administrators.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms in software applications. The missing capability check represents a fundamental failure in the plugin's permission validation system, where the code fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses sufficient privileges before executing the duplication function. This oversight creates a direct pathway for privilege escalation, as attackers with minimal access levels can leverage this function to duplicate content that should remain restricted. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the web stack, specifically within the WordPress plugin architecture where user permissions are typically enforced through capability checks. The absence of proper authorization verification in the duplicate_ppmc_post_as_draft function means that any authenticated user can invoke this functionality regardless of their role within the WordPress site's user hierarchy.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to WordPress site administrators and content creators who rely on the platform's access control mechanisms to protect sensitive information. Attackers with subscriber access can duplicate pages and posts, potentially leading to content manipulation, information disclosure, or even the creation of misleading content that appears to originate from legitimate administrators. The impact extends beyond simple duplication, as duplicated content can be modified to contain malicious payloads, spam, or inappropriate material that reflects poorly on the organization. This vulnerability also enables attackers to bypass content review processes and potentially create duplicate content that could negatively impact search engine optimization efforts or violate content policies. The unauthorized duplication capability could be exploited to flood a site with duplicate content, causing performance degradation or serving as a vector for more sophisticated attacks such as content injection or social engineering campaigns.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and persistence within web applications. Attackers can leverage this flaw as part of a broader attack chain to establish a foothold within WordPress environments and then escalate their privileges to perform more damaging operations. The vulnerability also supports techniques related to credential abuse and lateral movement within the WordPress ecosystem, as attackers can create duplicate content to mask their activities or establish backdoors through duplicated administrative interfaces. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect unusual duplication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that WordPress is widely deployed across various industries, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise multiple organizations through a single exploitable plugin. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where WordPress is used for content management, intranets, or public-facing websites where unauthorized content manipulation can have severe business implications.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to the patched version of the Duplicate Post Page Menu & Custom Post Type plugin, which should include proper capability checks and authorization verification. System administrators should also implement role-based access controls that limit the capabilities of low-privilege users and consider implementing additional monitoring for unusual content duplication activities. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify other potential vulnerabilities in third-party plugins that may share similar authorization flaws. Regular patch management processes should be strengthened to ensure timely updates of all WordPress components, including plugins and themes, to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper input validation and authorization checking in web applications, emphasizing that even seemingly minor functions can represent significant security risks when proper access controls are not implemented.