CVE-2023-2438 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-2438 article provides detailed information about a vulnerability in the UserPro - Community and User Profile WordPress Plugin that exposes websites to Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks.

Understanding CVE-2023-2438

The UserPro plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in versions up to and including 5.1.0. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to manipulate user data and inject malicious JavaScript into a website.

What is CVE-2023-2438?

CVE-2023-2438 is a vulnerability in the UserPro - Community and User Profile WordPress Plugin that allows unauthenticated attackers to update user meta and inject malicious JavaScript by tricking site administrators into performing actions unknowingly.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2438

This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized data modifications, potential information theft, and the execution of malicious scripts on affected websites. It poses a significant risk to the security and integrity of user data.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2438

The following technical details describe the vulnerability in depth:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from missing or incorrect nonce validation on the 'userpro_save_userdata' function, enabling attackers to forge requests and perform unauthorized actions on the website.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: UserPro - Community and User Profile WordPress Plugin
Versions Affected: Up to and including 5.1.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a forged request and tricking a site administrator into interacting with it, such as through a link click, to execute unauthorized actions on the website.

Mitigation and Prevention

Taking immediate steps to address CVE-2023-2438 is crucial to secure websites using the vulnerable UserPro plugin. Follow these recommendations:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the UserPro plugin to a patched version beyond 5.1.0 to mitigate the CSRF vulnerability.
Educate site administrators and users about the risks of interacting with unknown or suspicious links.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories and updates for all installed plugins and themes.
Implement security best practices such as least privilege access and strong authentication mechanisms.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all plugins, themes, and the WordPress core are kept up to date with the latest security patches to safeguard against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-2438.