CVE-2023-6008 in UserPro Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/22/2023
The UserPro plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in versions up to, and including, 5.1.1. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on multiple functions. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to add, modify, or delete user meta and plugin options.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2026
The CVE-2023-6008 vulnerability affects the UserPro plugin for WordPress, representing a critical cross-site request forgery weakness that has persisted through versions up to and including 5.1.1. This vulnerability stems from inadequate security controls within the plugin's architecture, specifically the absence or improper implementation of nonce validation mechanisms. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit the plugin's functionality without requiring valid user credentials or session tokens. The vulnerability manifests in multiple functions where nonce validation is either completely missing or incorrectly implemented, creating persistent attack vectors throughout the plugin's operational scope. The technical implementation fails to properly verify the authenticity of requests, leaving the system susceptible to malicious manipulation of user data and plugin configurations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data integrity concerns, as it enables attackers to perform unauthorized modifications to user meta information and plugin options. This represents a significant security risk for WordPress installations utilizing the affected plugin, as it allows for potential account takeover scenarios, data manipulation, and configuration changes that could compromise the entire WordPress environment. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through crafted web requests that leverage the missing nonce validation. Attackers can construct malicious requests that appear legitimate to the WordPress system, thereby bypassing standard authentication mechanisms and gaining unauthorized access to administrative functions.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and insufficient request verification practices that violate fundamental security principles. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique, as attackers can leverage the vulnerability to gain elevated privileges within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where WordPress plugins are widely deployed. The lack of proper nonce validation creates a persistent exposure that remains active until the plugin is updated to a secure version.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-6008 require immediate action from WordPress administrators to update to versions that properly implement nonce validation. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all installations utilizing the affected plugin version, as the vulnerability can remain undetected for extended periods. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in user meta modifications and plugin configuration changes that might indicate exploitation attempts. The recommended remediation includes not only updating the plugin but also implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls and regular security audits. Administrators should also consider implementing role-based access controls and monitoring for unauthorized modifications to user data and plugin settings. Regular patch management processes should be strengthened to ensure rapid deployment of security updates and prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in other WordPress plugins within the organization's infrastructure.