CVE-2023-6158 in EventON Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/10/2024
The EventON - WordPress Virtual Event Calendar Plugin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data and loss of data due to a missing capability check on the evo_eventpost_update_meta function in all versions up to, and including, 4.5.4 (for Pro) and 2.2.7 (for free). This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to update and remove arbitrary post metadata. Note that certain parameters may allow for content injection. CVE-2024-0238 appears to be a duplicate of this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2026
The EventON WordPress plugin vulnerability represents a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security integrity of WordPress installations using this calendar solution. This vulnerability exists within the evo_eventpost_update_meta function which fails to properly validate user capabilities before processing metadata updates. The flaw affects both the free and pro versions of the plugin, with vulnerable versions including 2.2.7 for the free edition and 4.5.4 for the pro edition, creating a widespread exposure across numerous WordPress sites that rely on this popular calendar plugin. The absence of proper capability checks means that any attacker can exploit this function without authentication, fundamentally breaking the WordPress permission model that should prevent unauthorized modifications to content metadata.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a missing capability verification within the plugin's core update mechanism. When the evo_eventpost_update_meta function processes incoming requests, it does not validate whether the requesting user possesses the necessary permissions to modify post metadata. This oversight creates a path for attackers to manipulate arbitrary metadata fields through crafted HTTP requests, potentially allowing them to modify event details, change post statuses, or inject malicious content into the WordPress database. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data modification as certain parameters within the affected function may enable content injection attacks, where attackers can insert malicious code or data that gets executed or stored within the WordPress environment. This particular weakness aligns with CWE-284, which describes insufficient access control mechanisms, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that should govern all WordPress plugin operations.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe and multifaceted, affecting both the integrity and availability of WordPress sites using the EventON plugin. Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this flaw to modify event calendar data, potentially disrupting scheduled events, changing event details, or injecting malicious content that could affect visitors or compromise the site's security. The ability to remove arbitrary post metadata creates additional risks where attackers might delete critical event information or corrupt the calendar functionality entirely. Given that WordPress calendar plugins often handle sensitive scheduling information and may integrate with other site features, this vulnerability could enable broader attacks including cross-site scripting attempts, data exfiltration, or even serve as a foothold for more extensive compromise of the WordPress installation. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions of the plugin indicates a systemic issue in the plugin's security architecture that requires immediate remediation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate protection and long-term security improvements. The most critical step involves updating to the latest available versions of the EventON plugin where the capability check has been implemented. Administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as restricting access to plugin endpoints through web application firewalls, monitoring for unusual metadata modification patterns, and conducting regular security audits of WordPress installations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and capability checks in WordPress plugin development, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces and establish monitoring protocols specifically designed to detect unauthorized metadata modifications. Given that this vulnerability affects core WordPress functionality, it underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security practices and regular plugin vulnerability assessments as part of comprehensive cybersecurity governance.