CVE-2023-5798 in Assistant Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2023
The Assistant WordPress plugin before 1.4.4 does not validate a parameter before making a request to it via wp_remote_get(), which could allow users with a role as low as Editor to perform SSRF attacks
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2023
The CVE-2023-5798 vulnerability affects the Assistant WordPress plugin version 1.4.3 and earlier, presenting a significant security risk through server-side request forgery exploitation. This flaw exists within the plugin's handling of user-supplied parameters that are subsequently passed to WordPress's wp_remote_get() function without proper validation. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it can be exploited by users with the relatively low Editor role, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where editors may have access to sensitive administrative functions.
The technical flaw stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms for parameters that are intended to be used in external HTTP requests. When an Editor user submits specific input through the plugin's interface, this parameter is directly incorporated into the wp_remote_get() call without adequate security checks. This creates an attack vector where malicious input can manipulate the target URL of the remote request, potentially redirecting it to internal network resources or external attacker-controlled servers. The vulnerability specifically targets the parameter handling within the plugin's remote request functionality, bypassing WordPress's built-in security measures that typically protect against such attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to perform reconnaissance and potentially gain access to internal systems that would normally be protected by network segmentation. An attacker with Editor privileges could leverage this flaw to probe internal network services, access internal APIs, or even redirect requests to malicious servers to capture credentials or other sensitive data. The SSRF attack could potentially allow for information disclosure, internal network mapping, or even facilitate further attacks such as path traversal or command execution on vulnerable internal services. The low privilege requirement makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for WordPress installations where editors have access to plugin functionality, as it essentially provides a backdoor for attackers to escalate their privileges and gain deeper access to the system.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate updating of the Assistant plugin to version 1.4.4 or later, which contains the necessary validation patches. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions to prevent outbound requests to internal services and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious remote request patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-918, which addresses server-side request forgery, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol traffic shaping. Security teams should conduct thorough audits of all installed plugins to identify similar validation issues and implement proper parameter validation across all external request functions. Additionally, role-based access controls should be reviewed to ensure that users with Editor privileges do not have unnecessary access to plugin configurations that could be exploited for SSRF attacks.