CVE-2023-23800 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2023-23800, assigned by Patchstack, was published on November 13, 2023. It pertains to a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability found in the Vova Anokhin WP Shortcodes Plugin — Shortcodes Ultimate, affecting versions ranging from n/a to 5.12.6.

Understanding CVE-2023-23800

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-23800, its impact, technical specifics, and measures for mitigation and prevention.

What is CVE-2023-23800?

CVE-2023-23800 highlights a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability identified in the WP Shortcodes Plugin — Shortcodes Ultimate by Vova Anokhin. This vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of affected systems.

The Impact of CVE-2023-23800

With a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.1 (High severity), the vulnerability could be exploited with low privileges required, potentially leading to high confidentiality impact. The attack complexity is considered high, and the attack vector is via the network.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-23800

In this portion, we will explore the technical aspects of the CVE, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows for Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) in the affected WP Shortcodes Plugin — Shortcodes Ultimate versions up to 5.12.6. Exploitation of this vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Affected Systems and Versions

The SSRF vulnerability impacts installations of the WP Shortcodes Plugin — Shortcodes Ultimate ranging from version n/a to 5.12.6, potentially exposing them to security risks.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability remotely via the network, manipulating the affected plugin to perform unauthorized server-side requests, leading to potential data breaches or server compromises.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address the CVE-2023-23800 vulnerability, immediate steps must be taken along with implementing long-term security practices and applying necessary patches and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users of the WP Shortcodes Plugin — Shortcodes Ultimate should update their plugin to version 5.12.7 or higher to mitigate the SSRF vulnerability and enhance the security of their website.

Long-Term Security Practices

Incorporating robust security measures, such as regular security audits, network monitoring, and employee training, can help prevent similar vulnerabilities and improve overall cybersecurity posture.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating plugins and software, implementing access controls, and maintaining a proactive security stance can significantly reduce the risk of SSRF vulnerabilities and other security threats.