CVE-2023-48745 in Captcha Code Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/04/2024
Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts vulnerability in WebFactory Ltd Captcha Code allows Functionality Bypass.This issue affects Captcha Code: from n/a through 2.9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-48745 represents a critical weakness in the Captcha Code plugin developed by WebFactory Ltd, specifically targeting the authentication mechanism's ability to control excessive login attempts. This flaw manifests as an improper restriction of authentication attempts, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass core security controls that are designed to prevent unauthorized access through brute force or credential stuffing attacks. The vulnerability exists within the plugin's implementation of authentication rate limiting, which is a fundamental security control that should prevent repeated failed login attempts from succeeding.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the scope of CWE-307 - Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts, which specifically addresses the failure to implement adequate mechanisms for limiting authentication attempts. This weakness allows attackers to repeatedly attempt authentication without sufficient rate limiting or account lockout mechanisms, effectively bypassing the intended functionality of the captcha system. The vulnerability impacts all versions of the Captcha Code plugin from the initial release through version 2.9, indicating a long-standing issue that has not been adequately addressed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of systems that rely on the plugin for access control. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform automated credential guessing attacks, potentially gaining unauthorized access to user accounts, administrative interfaces, or sensitive system resources. The bypass functionality means that even if users successfully complete captcha challenges, the system remains vulnerable to repeated authentication attempts that could lead to account compromise or system infiltration. This weakness is particularly dangerous in environments where the plugin is used for critical access control or where it interfaces with sensitive data repositories.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-48745 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin versions, as this represents a critical security gap that can be exploited without significant technical skill. Organizations should implement additional authentication controls such as account lockout policies, temporary IP blocking mechanisms, and multi-factor authentication to compensate for the weakness in the captcha implementation. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110 - Brute Force, which describes methods used to gain access to systems through repeated login attempts, and T1566 - Phishing, as attackers may leverage this weakness to extend their initial access. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that monitor for unusual authentication patterns and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. Given the broad impact of authentication bypass vulnerabilities, comprehensive security assessments should be conducted to identify any other systems or plugins that may be similarly affected by improper authentication attempt restrictions.