CVE-2023-7064 in Shortcodes and Extra Features for Phlox Theme
Summary
by MITRE • 05/02/2024
The Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Object Injection in all versions up to, and including, 2.15.2 via deserialization of untrusted input from the vulnerable 'id' parameter in the 'auxin_template_control_importer' function. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers able to upload a separate PHAR payload as an image file to inject a PHP Object, though the action itself is available to subscribers. No POP chain is present in the vulnerable plugin. If a POP chain is present via an additional plugin or theme installed on the target system, it could allow the attacker to delete arbitrary files, retrieve sensitive data, or execute code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2024
The CVE-2023-7064 vulnerability affects the Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme plugin for WordPress, representing a critical security flaw that enables PHP object injection attacks. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 2.15.2, making it particularly concerning given the widespread use of WordPress themes and plugins. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the auxin_template_control_importer function, which processes untrusted data from the 'id' parameter without adequate security measures. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with subscriber-level privileges to exploit this vulnerability, significantly broadening the potential attack surface since subscriber accounts are often less restricted than administrator accounts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the deserialization of untrusted input, a well-documented attack vector that falls under CWE-502, which specifically addresses "Deserialization of Untrusted Data." When an attacker uploads a specially crafted PHAR payload disguised as an image file, the plugin's import function processes this malicious data through unserialize() or similar deserialization mechanisms. This process creates a PHP object injection scenario where attacker-controlled data is transformed into executable code within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges since the import functionality is accessible to subscribers, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user WordPress installations where subscriber accounts might have unexpected access to administrative functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-7064 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities, as it provides attackers with the potential to perform various malicious activities within the compromised WordPress environment. While the vulnerable plugin itself does not contain a POP (Point of No Return) chain, the absence of such a chain does not diminish the severity of the vulnerability. Attackers can leverage this injection point to delete arbitrary files, retrieve sensitive data, or execute arbitrary code on the target system. The lack of a built-in POP chain means that exploitation is limited to the immediate plugin functionality, but attackers can still achieve significant damage through the ability to inject PHP objects that can interact with the broader WordPress system. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003, which covers "Server Software Component: Web Shell," as the injected objects could potentially establish persistent access mechanisms.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly severe because it allows attackers to operate with subscriber privileges while achieving elevated system access. This means that even in environments where subscriber accounts are restricted, attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain more extensive control over the WordPress installation. The fact that the attack vector involves uploading a PHAR payload as an image file demonstrates the sophistication of modern attack techniques that exploit file upload validation bypasses. Organizations using the Phlox theme plugin should immediately update to the latest version to mitigate this risk, as the vulnerability affects all versions up to 2.15.2 and represents a clear pathway for attackers to compromise WordPress installations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and the dangers of using unserialize() functions with untrusted data sources, reinforcing security best practices that should be implemented across all WordPress plugin development.