CVE-2023-2833 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-2833 was assigned by Wordfence on May 22, 2023, and was published on June 6, 2023. The vulnerability affects the ReviewX plugin for WordPress up to version 1.6.13, allowing authenticated attackers to perform privilege escalation due to insufficient restrictions on a specific function.

Understanding CVE-2023-2833

This section will provide an in-depth look at the nature of CVE-2023-2833 and its implications.

What is CVE-2023-2833?

CVE-2023-2833 is a privilege escalation vulnerability found in the ReviewX plugin for WordPress versions up to 1.6.13. The issue arises from inadequate restrictions on a particular function, enabling authenticated attackers to elevate their user roles.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2833

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers with minimal permissions, such as subscribers, to manipulate their user roles within the WordPress environment. This could lead to unauthorized access and potential further exploits.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2833

Delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-2833 to understand how the vulnerability operates and its scope.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the ReviewX plugin for WordPress allows authenticated attackers to perform privilege escalation by manipulating certain parameters during a specific action, giving them higher user roles than intended.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product in this CVE is the "ReviewX – Multi-criteria Rating & Reviews for WooCommerce" plugin by wpdevteam. Versions up to and including 1.6.13 are vulnerable to this privilege escalation issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the 'rx_set_screen_options' function in the affected plugin, attackers, even with limited permissions, can modify their user roles by supplying specific parameters during a screen option update, leading to unauthorized access and potential misuse.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understanding how to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2023-2833 vulnerability is crucial for maintaining the security of WordPress installations.

Immediate Steps to Take

WordPress site administrators should immediately update the ReviewX plugin to a version that addresses this vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring user roles and permissions regularly can help detect any unauthorized changes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing the principle of least privilege, where users are granted only the permissions necessary for their tasks, can reduce the impact of privilege escalation vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-2833. Regular security audits and updates are also recommended.

Patching and Updates

Developers of the affected plugin, wpdevteam, have likely released a patch or update to address the privilege escalation vulnerability in ReviewX. It is essential for users to apply these security patches promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

By understanding the nature of CVE-2023-2833 and following the recommended mitigation steps, website owners can enhance the security of their WordPress installations and protect against privilege escalation attacks.