CVE-2023-2066 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-2066 affects the Announcement & Notification Banner – Bulletin plugin for WordPress, making it vulnerable to unauthorized access and data modification. It was published on June 9, 2023, by Wordfence after being reserved on April 14, 2023.

Understanding CVE-2023-2066

This vulnerability impacts the 'bulletinwp_update_bulletin_status', 'bulletinwp_update_bulletin', 'bulletinwp_update_settings', 'bulletinwp_update_status', 'bulletinwp_export_bulletins', and 'bulletinwp_import_bulletins' functions in versions up to 3.6.0 of the plugin. Authenticated attackers with subscriber-level access and above could exploit this vulnerability.

What is CVE-2023-2066?

The CVE-2023-2066 vulnerability in the Announcement & Notification Banner – Bulletin WordPress plugin allows attackers to access and modify data due to a missing capability check. This flaw enables attackers to manipulate settings, bulletins, create new bulletins, and more.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2066

The impact of CVE-2023-2066 is significant as it allows authenticated attackers to perform unauthorized actions, potentially leading to data loss, unauthorized access, and overall system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2066

The following technical details outline the vulnerability and its implications:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a missing capability check in the affected functions of the Announcement & Notification Banner – Bulletin plugin, enabling unauthorized data access and modification.

Affected Systems and Versions

The plugin versions up to and including 3.6.0 of the plugin 'mikewire_rocksolid: Announcement & Notification Banner – Bulletin' are susceptible to this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Authenticated attackers with subscriber-level access and higher can exploit the vulnerability to manipulate settings, bulletins, and create new bulletins due to the lack of proper authorization checks.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-2066 and enhance security measures, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or uninstall the affected plugin until a patch is available.
Monitor for any unauthorized access or data modifications on your WordPress site.
Implement strong password policies for user accounts to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update plugins and software to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and vulnerability assessments to proactively identify and address security flaws.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about updates or patches released by the plugin developer to address CVE-2023-2066. Apply updates promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation and enhance the security of your WordPress site.