CVE-2023-7239 in WP Dashboard Notes Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/16/2025
The WP Dashboard Notes WordPress plugin before 1.0.11 does not validate that the user has access to the post_id parameter in its wpdn_update_note AJAX action. This allows users with a role of contributor and above to update notes created by other users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-7239 affects the WP Dashboard Notes WordPress plugin version 1.0.10 and earlier, presenting a critical access control flaw that undermines the security model of WordPress sites. This issue resides within the plugin's wpdn_update_note AJAX action, which fails to properly validate user permissions when processing the post_id parameter. The flaw specifically impacts users with contributor role and above, allowing them to manipulate notes created by other users within the same WordPress installation. Such a vulnerability represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and access control mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper authorization checks within the AJAX handler. When a user submits an update request through the wpdn_update_note endpoint, the plugin accepts the post_id parameter without verifying whether the requesting user has the necessary permissions to modify the specified note. This oversight creates a path for privilege escalation where lower-privileged users can access and modify content they should not be authorized to alter. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer, leveraging the WordPress AJAX infrastructure to bypass normal content management controls. This flaw aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and represents a clear violation of the authorization controls that should normally protect user-generated content within WordPress environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-7239 extends beyond simple data modification, as it enables potential information disclosure and content manipulation across user accounts. Contributors and above can access, modify, or potentially delete notes created by other users, which may contain sensitive information or personal data. This vulnerability undermines the trust model of WordPress sites where users expect their content to remain private and secure from unauthorized modifications. Attackers could exploit this weakness to deface content, inject malicious information, or gather intelligence from other users' notes, potentially leading to further compromise of the WordPress installation. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in multi-user environments where different roles have distinct access levels and security expectations. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing, as it allows for unauthorized access to user content and could be leveraged as part of broader attack chains targeting WordPress installations.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrading to WP Dashboard Notes plugin version 1.0.11 or later, which contains the necessary authorization checks to prevent unauthorized access to notes. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring of AJAX endpoints to detect suspicious activity patterns related to note updates. The fix should include comprehensive input validation that verifies user permissions against the target post_id before allowing any modifications, ensuring that only authorized users can access and modify specific notes. Organizations should conduct regular security audits of their WordPress plugins to identify similar authorization flaws and maintain updated security practices. Additionally, implementing proper role-based access controls and regularly reviewing user permissions can help minimize the impact of such vulnerabilities in the broader WordPress ecosystem.