CVE-2023-6491 in Strong Testimonials Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/07/2024
The Strong Testimonials plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to an improper capability check on the wpmtst_save_view_sticky function in all versions up to, and including, 3.1.12. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor access and above, to modify favorite views.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-6491 affects the Strong Testimonials plugin for WordPress, representing a critical authorization flaw that undermines the integrity of user data management within the platform. This weakness exists in all versions up to and including 3.1.12, where the plugin fails to properly validate user capabilities before allowing modifications to favorite views. The flaw specifically resides in the wpmtst_save_view_sticky function, which serves as a critical endpoint for saving user preferences and view configurations within the testimonials management interface. Security researchers have identified that this vulnerability enables attackers with contributor-level privileges or higher to manipulate data without proper authorization, creating a significant risk for websites relying on this plugin for customer testimonials and reviews.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from an improper capability check implementation that fails to verify whether the authenticated user possesses the necessary permissions to perform the requested data modification operations. According to CWE-284, this represents an inadequate access control mechanism where the system does not properly enforce authorization checks before allowing privileged operations. The flaw operates under the principle that any authenticated user with contributor access or above can execute the wpmtst_save_view_sticky function, bypassing the intended security boundaries that should restrict such modifications to administrators or users with explicit write permissions. This misconfiguration creates a path for privilege escalation where lower-privileged users can effectively gain unauthorized access to modify critical user interface configurations and data preferences.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-6491 extends beyond simple data modification, as it allows attackers to potentially manipulate user experience settings and view configurations that could affect how testimonials are displayed across the website. Contributors with access to the WordPress admin panel can exploit this vulnerability to alter favorite views, which may include changing the default sorting, filtering, or presentation parameters for testimonials. This capability can be leveraged for various malicious purposes including data manipulation, user experience degradation, or potentially as a stepping stone for further attacks within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers valid accounts and credential access, as it allows attackers to leverage existing contributor accounts to perform unauthorized actions. Additionally, the flaw demonstrates characteristics of privilege escalation through insecure direct object references and improper access control mechanisms.
Organizations using the Strong Testimonials plugin should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability, beginning with updating to the latest available version where the capability check has been properly implemented. The recommended approach includes reviewing and tightening user role permissions to ensure that only administrators or designated users possess the ability to modify view configurations. Security teams should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized modifications to favorite views or other configuration settings within the testimonials management interface. According to industry best practices for WordPress security and following the principle of least privilege, administrators should regularly audit user roles and capabilities to ensure that contributors and other lower-privileged users do not possess unnecessary permissions that could be exploited through vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-6491. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper access control implementation in web applications and the potential consequences of inadequate capability validation in plugin development.