CVE-2023-3023 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-3023 article provides insights into the WP EasyCart plugin vulnerability affecting versions up to and including 5.4.10.

Understanding CVE-2023-3023

The WP EasyCart plugin for WordPress is susceptible to time-based SQL Injection through the 'orderby' parameter in versions up to 5.4.10. This vulnerability arises due to insufficient escaping on the user-supplied parameter and inadequate preparation on the existing SQL query. It allows authenticated attackers with administrator-level permissions to inject additional SQL queries into existing ones, leading to the extraction of sensitive data from the database.

What is CVE-2023-3023?

The vulnerability in the WP EasyCart plugin for WordPress, up to and including version 5.4.10, allows authenticated attackers to perform time-based SQL Injection using the 'orderby' parameter. This can result in the extraction of sensitive information from the database.

The Impact of CVE-2023-3023

The impact of CVE-2023-3023 is rated as HIGH with a base severity score of 7.2 according to the CVSS v3.1 scoring system. This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, compromising the security and integrity of the affected WordPress sites.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-3023

The following technical details outline the vulnerability further:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from insufficient escaping on the 'orderby' parameter and lack of proper preparation on the existing SQL query in the WP EasyCart plugin for WordPress, up to version 5.4.10.

Affected Systems and Versions

The WP EasyCart plugin versions up to and including 5.4.10 are affected by this vulnerability, exposing websites using these versions to the risk of time-based SQL Injection.

Exploitation Mechanism

Authenticated attackers with administrator-level permissions can exploit the vulnerability by injecting malicious SQL queries via the 'orderby' parameter, allowing them to retrieve sensitive data from the database.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2023-3023, the following steps can be taken:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the WP EasyCart plugin to a patched version that addresses the SQL Injection vulnerability.
Monitor website activity for any suspicious behavior that may indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.
Consider restricting user permissions to minimize the impact of potential attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update plugins and software to ensure the latest security patches are applied.
Implement strong password policies and multi-factor authentication to enhance account security.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to proactively identify and address vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Vendor-provided patches addressing the CVE-2023-3023 vulnerability should be applied promptly to all affected systems running the WP EasyCart plugin. Regularly check for plugin updates and security advisories to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities and their fixes.