CVE-2023-7019 in LightStart Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/11/2024
The LightStart – Maintenance Mode, Coming Soon and Landing Page Builder plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the insert_template function in all versions up to, and including, 2.6.8. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level access and above, to change page designs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-7019 affects the LightStart WordPress plugin, specifically targeting versions up to and including 2.6.8. This issue resides within the plugin's insert_template function which fails to properly validate user capabilities before allowing data modification operations. The flaw represents a critical access control weakness that undermines the security model of WordPress installations relying on this plugin. Attackers with subscriber-level privileges or higher can exploit this vulnerability to manipulate page designs and content, effectively bypassing intended authorization controls that should restrict such modifications to administrators or editors only.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a missing capability check within the plugin's core functionality. When the insert_template function processes requests, it does not verify whether the requesting user possesses the appropriate permissions to modify page templates. This oversight creates an unauthorized modification vector that directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and role-based access control. The vulnerability specifically impacts the maintenance mode, coming soon, and landing page builder features, which are commonly used for creating and managing website presentation elements during transitional periods or promotional campaigns.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress website security and integrity. Subscribers with access to the WordPress dashboard can leverage this flaw to alter page designs, potentially leading to unauthorized content changes, malicious redirects, or the insertion of harmful elements. The impact extends beyond simple design modifications as attackers could use this capability to create deceptive landing pages or manipulate maintenance mode displays to mislead visitors. This vulnerability particularly affects websites where subscriber accounts are granted elevated privileges or where user management is not strictly enforced, creating a substantial attack surface for malicious actors seeking to compromise website presentation and user experience.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control mechanisms, and represents a clear violation of the principle that operations modifying system state should require appropriate authorization. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing, as it allows attackers to escalate privileges through legitimate user accounts and potentially manipulate website content to facilitate further attacks. Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of the LightStart plugin where this capability check has been properly implemented, and conduct thorough security audits to identify any unauthorized modifications that may have occurred during the vulnerability's existence. Additionally, implementing network monitoring and content integrity checks can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while maintaining strict user access controls and regular security assessments remains essential for preventing similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other plugins or themes.