CVE-2023-5974 in wpb-show-core Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/27/2023
The WPB Show Core WordPress plugin through 2.2 is vulnerable to server-side request forgery (SSRF) via the `path` parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2023
The WPB Show Core WordPress plugin version 2.2 and earlier contains a critical server-side request forgery vulnerability that exposes systems to remote exploitation. This flaw resides in the plugin's handling of the `path` parameter, which allows unauthorized attackers to manipulate internal server requests. The vulnerability represents a significant security risk as it enables malicious actors to bypass normal access controls and potentially access internal resources that should remain protected from external exposure.
The technical implementation of this SSRF vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the plugin's core functionality. When the `path` parameter is processed, the application fails to properly validate or restrict the URLs that can be requested, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that target internal systems. This weakness creates an attack surface where remote code execution or data exfiltration becomes possible through carefully crafted SSRF payloads. The vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-918, which specifically addresses server-side request forgery flaws in web applications, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage in command and control communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data access compromises and can result in severe consequences for affected organizations. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can potentially access internal network services, databases, or other sensitive systems that are normally isolated from external networks. The vulnerability enables reconnaissance activities where attackers can map internal network topology, scan for additional vulnerabilities, or establish persistent access points. Organizations running vulnerable versions of the WPB Show Core plugin face risks of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure, particularly when the WordPress installation resides in environments with restricted network access.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 2.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Administrators should also implement network-level restrictions to prevent outbound requests to internal services from WordPress installations, particularly when the plugin is not actively used. Additional protective measures include deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious SSRF patterns, implementing strict input validation for all user-supplied parameters, and conducting thorough security assessments of all installed WordPress plugins. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual outbound network requests from web servers, and access controls should be tightened to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls for their WordPress installations to limit the damage that could result from successful exploitation of this vulnerability.