CVE-2023-27418 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-27418 involves a vulnerability in the WordPress Side Menu Lite Plugin, where versions up to 4.0 are susceptible to Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks. The vulnerability was discovered and published on November 12, 2023, by Patchstack.

Understanding CVE-2023-27418

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-27418, highlighting what the vulnerability entails and its potential impacts.

What is CVE-2023-27418?

The CVE-2023-27418 pertains to a CSRF vulnerability in the Wow-Company Side Menu Lite plugin, specifically affecting versions equal to or lower than 4.0. CSRF attacks allow unauthorized actions to be executed on behalf of a user without their consent.

The Impact of CVE-2023-27418

The impact of this vulnerability is classified as medium severity with a base score of 4.3. With this vulnerability, attackers can potentially manipulate a user into unintentionally performing actions on a web application, leading to unauthorized activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-27418

This section provides a deeper insight into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-27418, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) issue in the Side Menu Lite - add sticky fixed buttons plugin by Wow-Company, with versions up to 4.0 being impacted. This flaw could be exploited by attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Wow-Company Side Menu Lite plugin versions less than or equal to 4.0 are susceptible to this CSRF vulnerability. Users utilizing these versions are at risk of exploitation if not addressed promptly.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can leverage this CSRF vulnerability to trick users into executing unintended actions on the WordPress Side Menu Lite Plugin, potentially leading to unauthorized modifications or data compromise.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-27418, it is crucial to take immediate steps, adopt long-term security practices, and ensure timely patching and updates are implemented.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their Wow-Company Side Menu Lite plugin to version 4.0.1 or higher to remediate the CSRF vulnerability and enhance the security posture of their WordPress installation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Incorporating secure coding practices, implementing robust access controls, and regularly monitoring for vulnerabilities can help fortify the overall security of WordPress websites and plugins.

Patching and Updates

Staying vigilant for security updates, promptly applying patches released by plugin developers, and maintaining an updated software ecosystem are vital for safeguarding against potential threats and vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-27418.