CVE-2023-0911 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE record pertains to a vulnerability named "Shortcodes Ultimate < 5.12.8 - Subscriber+ User Meta Disclosure" in the WordPress Shortcodes Plugin — Shortcodes Ultimate. The vulnerability was discovered by Erwan LR from WPScan and coordinated by WPScan. It falls under the CWE-862 category of 'Missing Authorization'.

Understanding CVE-2023-0911

This section provides insights into the nature and impact of CVE-2023-0911.

What is CVE-2023-0911?

CVE-2023-0911 refers to a security flaw in the Shortcodes Ultimate WordPress plugin versions prior to 5.12.8. The vulnerability allows authenticated users, including subscribers, to access arbitrary user metadata (excluding user_pass) through the user shortcode without proper validation.

The Impact of CVE-2023-0911

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it can lead to the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user information such as email addresses and activation keys. This could potentially compromise user privacy and security.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-0911

This section delves into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-0911, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The WordPress Shortcodes Plugin — Shortcodes Ultimate before version 5.12.8 lacks proper validation when retrieving user meta via the user shortcode. This oversight allows authenticated users to fetch various user metadata, leading to a potential data exposure risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts versions of the Shortcodes Ultimate plugin preceding version 5.12.8. Users utilizing versions earlier than the specified one are vulnerable to the security issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the vulnerability in the Shortcodes Ultimate plugin, authenticated users, particularly subscribers, can exploit the user shortcode to extract sensitive user information, posing a security threat.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we outline the steps to mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2023-0911 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

To address CVE-2023-0911, users are advised to update their WordPress Shortcodes Plugin to version 5.12.8 or later. Taking prompt action to apply the security patch can help mitigate the vulnerability and prevent unauthorized access to user metadata.

Long-Term Security Practices

In addition to patching software vulnerabilities, implementing robust authorization mechanisms and access controls within WordPress plugins can enhance the overall security posture and prevent similar incidents in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring for security updates and promptly applying patches released by plugin developers is crucial to maintaining a secure WordPress environment. Staying informed about vulnerabilities and their corresponding fixes can help safeguard against potential exploits.