CVE-2023-51491 in Depicter Slider Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/16/2024
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Averta Depicter Slider.This issue affects Depicter Slider: from n/a through 2.0.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2025
The CVE-2023-51491 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the Averta Depicter Slider plugin, a widely used WordPress slider component that has been impacted by this security weakness in versions ranging from unspecified beginning through 2.0.6. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of user requests and authentication mechanisms, specifically failing to implement proper anti-CSRF protections that would normally validate the authenticity of requests originating from legitimate users. The flaw allows attackers to execute unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users who visit malicious websites or click on compromised links, potentially leading to unauthorized modifications or deletions of slider configurations and content.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the absence of anti-CSRF tokens in the plugin's administrative interfaces and AJAX endpoints. When users access the Depicter Slider administration panels or perform actions through the plugin's web interface, the system fails to verify that requests originate from legitimate sources within the same session. This weakness aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities in software applications. The vulnerability manifests when an authenticated administrator visits a malicious website that contains embedded requests to the vulnerable plugin's endpoints, enabling attackers to perform administrative actions without proper authorization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, potentially allowing attackers to completely compromise the slider functionality and underlying website security. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to modify slider configurations, inject malicious code into slider elements, or even delete slider content, thereby affecting website presentation and potentially creating backdoors for further exploitation. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where administrators frequently visit untrusted websites or where the plugin is used in conjunction with other vulnerable components. This vulnerability can be exploited to maintain persistent access to compromised sites, making it a significant concern for website owners and security administrators who rely on the plugin for their digital presence.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-51491 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the CSRF implementation gaps, as vendors typically release patches that incorporate proper anti-CSRF token generation and validation mechanisms. Organizations should implement additional security measures including regular security audits of WordPress plugins, deployment of web application firewalls that can detect and block CSRF attempts, and implementation of Content Security Policy headers that limit the scope of potentially malicious requests. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in administrative requests, particularly those originating from external domains or unexpected user agents. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining comprehensive security hygiene practices, including regular plugin updates, proper access controls, and user education about the risks of visiting untrusted websites while authenticated to administrative interfaces. This case exemplifies the ATT&CK technique T1566.002 for Phishing with Malicious Attachments, where attackers can exploit the trust relationship between users and web applications to execute unauthorized administrative actions through CSRF attacks.