CVE-2023-7286 in ACF Quick Edit Fields Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/16/2024
The plugin ACF Quick Edit Fields for WordPress is vulnerable to Insecure Direct Object Reference in versions up to, and including, 3.2.2. This makes it possible for attackers without the edit_users capability to access metadata of other users, this includes contributor-level users and above.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-7286 affects the ACF Quick Edit Fields plugin for WordPress, a widely used tool for enhancing content management capabilities within the WordPress ecosystem. This particular vulnerability manifests as an Insecure Direct Object Reference flaw that exists within the plugin's handling of user metadata access permissions. The issue specifically impacts versions up to and including 3.2.2, making it a critical concern for WordPress administrators who have not yet updated their installations. The vulnerability's nature stems from improper input validation and access control mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, which fails to adequately verify user permissions before granting access to sensitive metadata.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers who lack the edit_users capability to bypass normal WordPress permission controls and access metadata belonging to other users within the system. This includes users at the contributor level and above, representing a significant escalation in privileges that could expose sensitive information such as user roles, capabilities, and potentially personal data. The flaw operates by directly referencing user objects through predictable identifiers without proper authorization checks, enabling unauthorized access to user metadata that should remain protected. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-284 category for Insecure Direct Object Reference, which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms that allow attackers to manipulate object references.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential attack vectors for more sophisticated exploitation techniques. Attackers could leverage this access to gather intelligence about user roles and capabilities, potentially identifying high-privilege accounts for further targeting. The vulnerability affects WordPress sites that rely on the ACF Quick Edit Fields plugin, particularly those with multiple user roles where contributors and above have access to sensitive content. This creates a scenario where attackers could systematically enumerate user accounts and their associated metadata, leading to comprehensive reconnaissance of the WordPress installation's user base and potentially enabling privilege escalation attacks.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the privilege escalation and credential access categories. The vulnerability aligns with techniques that involve gaining access to user accounts and their associated metadata, which can serve as a foundation for more advanced attacks. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin versions, as the vulnerability exists in a widely deployed plugin that likely has numerous installations across the WordPress ecosystem. Additionally, administrators should review user permissions and implement additional monitoring for unusual access patterns to user metadata, as the vulnerability could enable stealthy reconnaissance activities that might otherwise go unnoticed in typical security monitoring procedures. The flaw underscores the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation in WordPress plugins, as well as the necessity of regular security audits of third-party components to prevent similar vulnerabilities from compromising system integrity.