CVE-2023-49754 in Bulk Edit Post Titles Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/09/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Yogesh Pawar, Clarion Technologies Bulk Edit Post Titles allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Bulk Edit Post Titles: from n/a through 5.0.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-49754 represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the Bulk Edit Post Titles plugin developed by Yogesh Pawar and Clarion Technologies. This security weakness manifests as an incorrectly configured access control mechanism that permits unauthorized users to perform administrative actions typically restricted to privileged personnel. The vulnerability exists across all versions of the plugin from the initial release through version 5.0.0, indicating a persistent flaw that has remained unaddressed for an extended period. The affected plugin operates within wordpress ecosystems where bulk editing capabilities are commonly utilized for managing multiple posts simultaneously, making this vulnerability particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of wordpress platforms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control checks within the plugin's codebase. When users attempt to perform bulk editing operations through the plugin interface, the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary permissions to execute such actions. This misconfiguration allows users with minimal privileges to manipulate post titles and potentially other content attributes through the bulk editing functionality. The flaw operates at the application level where authorization checks are bypassed, enabling attackers to exploit the system's trust in legitimate user sessions. According to CWE-284, this vulnerability maps directly to improper access control issues where the system fails to properly enforce access restrictions on resources and operations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple title modifications as bulk editing capabilities often provide access to multiple posts simultaneously, amplifying the potential damage from a single exploitation attempt.
The operational impact of this vulnerability creates significant security risks for wordpress sites utilizing the affected plugin. An attacker with access to a low-privilege user account could potentially modify hundreds of posts at once, leading to content manipulation, data integrity compromise, and potential reputational damage. The vulnerability enables unauthorized content modification, which could be leveraged for defacement, information disclosure, or as part of broader attack campaigns. In environments where the plugin is used for managing sensitive content or where multiple users have varying permission levels, this flaw creates an attack surface that could be exploited to escalate privileges or conduct persistent threats. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers valid accounts and credential manipulation, as the exploitation relies on legitimate user access to leverage insufficient access controls. Organizations using this plugin face potential regulatory compliance issues, especially in environments governed by data protection regulations that require proper access controls and audit trails.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-49754 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security enhancements. The primary recommendation involves updating to the latest version of the Bulk Edit Post Titles plugin where the access control issues have been resolved. Organizations should also implement network-level controls including firewall rules to restrict access to plugin endpoints and monitor for unusual bulk editing activities. Security administrators should conduct thorough access control reviews to ensure proper user permission assignments and implement principle of least privilege principles. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security audits and code reviews specifically targeting access control mechanisms within plugins and themes. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block exploitation attempts, and establish monitoring procedures for bulk editing operations that could indicate unauthorized access. Given that this vulnerability affects a widely used plugin, security teams should also verify that no other similar access control flaws exist within their wordpress environment through comprehensive penetration testing and security scanning activities.