CVE-2023-48753 in Restricted Site Access Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/04/2024
Authentication Bypass by Spoofing vulnerability in 10up Restricted Site Access allows Accessing Functionality Not Properly Constrained by ACLs.This issue affects Restricted Site Access: from n/a through 7.4.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2024
The CVE-2023-48753 vulnerability represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in the 10up Restricted Site Access plugin, which impacts versions ranging from n/a through 7.4.1. This vulnerability stems from improper validation of user authentication status, allowing malicious actors to circumvent access controls that should otherwise restrict functionality based on user privileges. The issue manifests when the plugin fails to properly verify that users have authenticated before granting access to restricted content or administrative features.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the plugin's failure to implement robust session validation mechanisms and proper access control enforcement. When users attempt to access restricted areas of a WordPress site, the system should verify their credentials and authorization levels before granting access. However, in vulnerable versions of Restricted Site Access, the authentication checking process contains a flaw that permits unauthorized access through spoofing techniques. This allows attackers to manipulate request parameters or session data to bypass the normal authentication flow.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for affected websites as it enables unauthorized users to access functionality that should be restricted to authenticated administrators or authorized personnel. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain access to sensitive administrative features, modify site configurations, or potentially escalate privileges within the affected WordPress environment. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it undermines the fundamental security model of the site, potentially allowing for complete compromise of the affected WordPress installation.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts, as attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access using spoofed authentication data. Organizations using the Restricted Site Access plugin in vulnerable versions face potential data breaches, unauthorized modifications to website content, and possible full system compromise. The authentication bypass allows attackers to perform actions that should require administrative privileges, including but not limited to modifying user permissions, accessing sensitive configuration data, and potentially installing malicious code.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of the Restricted Site Access plugin to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as monitoring for unusual access patterns, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting thorough security audits of their WordPress installations. Network-level controls including IP whitelisting and enhanced logging can provide additional layers of protection while waiting for official patches to be deployed. Organizations should also review their access control policies and ensure that proper least-privilege principles are enforced across all administrative functions.