CVE-2023-0718 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability has been identified in the Wicked Folders plugin for WordPress, with the CVE ID of CVE-2023-0718. This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with subscriber-level permissions and above to bypass authorization checks and perform actions intended for administrators. The issue exists in versions up to and including 2.18.16 of the plugin.

Understanding CVE-2023-0718

This section provides an overview of what CVE-2023-0718 entails, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-0718?

CVE-2023-0718 is a vulnerability found in the Wicked Folders plugin for WordPress that enables authenticated attackers to bypass authorization checks, granting them access to perform actions typically reserved for administrators. This poses a significant security risk to websites utilizing this plugin.

The Impact of CVE-2023-0718

The impact of CVE-2023-0718 is significant as it allows attackers with lower-level permissions to execute functions meant for administrators. This could result in unauthorized modifications to the folder structure managed by the Wicked Folders plugin, potentially leading to data loss or unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-0718

In this section, we delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-0718, including vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Wicked Folders plugin arises from a missing capability check on the ajax_save_folder function in versions up to 2.18.16. This oversight enables authenticated attackers to bypass authorization mechanisms and perform administrative actions.

Affected Systems and Versions

The CVE-2023-0718 vulnerability impacts versions up to and including 2.18.16 of the Wicked Folders plugin for WordPress. Websites using these versions are at risk of exploitation by attackers with subscriber-level permissions or higher.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit CVE-2023-0718 by leveraging the lack of proper capability checks on the ajax_save_folder function. By invoking this function with subscriber-level permissions or above, attackers can execute actions intended for administrators, compromising the integrity of the folder structure in the plugin.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-0718 and enhance the security posture of WordPress websites using the Wicked Folders plugin, certain mitigation steps and best practices need to be followed.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Wicked Folders plugin to a secure version that includes a patch for the vulnerability.
Monitor user permissions and restrict access based on the principle of least privilege.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and review plugin code for security vulnerabilities.
Educate users on best practices for maintaining secure permissions and access control within WordPress.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all plugins, including Wicked Folders, are kept up to date with the latest security patches and version releases to mitigate the risk of known vulnerabilities being exploited by attackers.