CVE-2023-6748 in Custom Field Template Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/11/2024
The Custom Field Template plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 2.6.1 via the 'cft' shortcode. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers with contributor access and above, to extract sensitive data including arbitrary post metadata.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2026
The Custom Field Template plugin for WordPress presents a significant security vulnerability classified as sensitive information exposure affecting versions through 2.6.1. This flaw exists within the plugin's 'cft' shortcode implementation and represents a critical weakness in access control mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets authenticated users who possess contributor-level privileges or higher, demonstrating how insufficient authorization checks can enable unauthorized data extraction from the WordPress ecosystem. The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure as the flaw permits access to arbitrary post metadata, potentially exposing confidential content that should remain restricted to authorized personnel only.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper validation and sanitization of user inputs within the shortcode functionality. When authenticated users with contributor access or above invoke the 'cft' shortcode, the plugin fails to properly verify whether the requesting user has appropriate permissions to access the requested metadata fields. This represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate input filtering mechanisms. The vulnerability allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve data that would typically be restricted to administrators or editors, creating a pathway for information leakage that could include personal details, internal communications, or proprietary content stored within post metadata fields.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate data exposure to encompass potential downstream consequences including regulatory compliance violations, reputational damage, and increased risk of further exploitation. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can systematically extract metadata from posts, potentially uncovering sensitive information such as internal project details, user credentials, or confidential business data. This type of information exposure aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack technique matrix under credential access and privilege escalation categories. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions indicates a fundamental flaw in the plugin's security architecture that requires immediate attention and remediation.
Organizations using this plugin should implement immediate mitigations including plugin updates to versions that address the vulnerability, implementation of additional access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized shortcode usage. The vulnerability's classification under CWE 200 - Information Exposure and its alignment with ATT&CK technique T1566 - Phishing demonstrates the multi-faceted nature of the threat. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based detection measures to identify unusual patterns of shortcode execution and establish proper audit trails for all metadata access attempts. Regular security assessments of WordPress plugins and their integration points within the broader security infrastructure remain essential for preventing similar vulnerabilities from compromising system integrity and data confidentiality.