CVE-2023-49748 in WPS Hide Login Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/04/2024
Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor vulnerability in WPServeur, NicolasKulka, wpformation WPS Hide Login allows Accessing Functionality Not Properly Constrained by ACLs.This issue affects WPS Hide Login: from n/a through 1.9.11.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-49748 represents a critical exposure of sensitive information through improper access control mechanisms within the WPS Hide Login plugin for WordPress. This issue resides in the WPServeur component developed by NicolasKulka and wpformation, specifically affecting versions from the initial release through 1.9.11. The vulnerability manifests as a failure in proper access control list (ACL) enforcement, allowing unauthorized actors to gain access to functionality that should be restricted to authorized users only. The flaw enables attackers to bypass intended security boundaries and access sensitive administrative capabilities that are not properly constrained by the system's access control mechanisms.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-284, which describes improper access control conditions where a system fails to properly enforce access restrictions on resources or functionality. The technical implementation flaw lies in the plugin's failure to adequately validate user permissions before granting access to administrative functions. Attackers can exploit this weakness to access hidden administrative interfaces, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, system configuration options, and administrative controls that should only be available to legitimate administrators. The lack of proper ACL enforcement creates a direct pathway for privilege escalation and unauthorized system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to critical system functions that could lead to full system compromise. Unauthorized actors can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive information including but not limited to user credentials, system configuration details, and administrative interfaces that control core functionality. This exposure creates a significant risk for WordPress installations using the affected plugin, as it undermines the fundamental security model of the platform by allowing unauthorized access to restricted administrative capabilities. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire WordPress installation, potentially enabling data breaches, unauthorized modifications, and complete system takeover.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that address the access control flaw, as well as implementing additional security measures such as network-level access controls, web application firewalls, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify any potential exploitation of this vulnerability, while also implementing proper access control mechanisms including role-based permissions, multi-factor authentication, and regular security audits. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and credential access tactics, emphasizing the need for robust access control implementations and continuous monitoring of administrative access patterns to detect anomalous behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts.