CVE-2023-3447 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE-2023-3447, assigned by Wordfence, was published on June 29, 2023. It relates to a vulnerability in the Active Directory Integration / LDAP Integration plugin for WordPress that allows LDAP Injection in versions up to and including 4.1.5. The vulnerability arises from insufficient escaping on the supplied username value, enabling unauthenticated attackers to potentially extract sensitive information from the LDAP directory.

Understanding CVE-2023-3447

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-3447, exploring its nature, impact, and technical aspects.

What is CVE-2023-3447?

CVE-2023-3447 is a security vulnerability present in the Active Directory Integration / LDAP Integration plugin for WordPress versions up to 4.1.5. It allows for LDAP Injection due to inadequate escaping of the username value, thereby granting unauthenticated attackers the ability to access sensitive LDAP directory information.

The Impact of CVE-2023-3447

The impact of CVE-2023-3447 is rated as HIGH, with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.6. This indicates a severe threat potential, making it crucial for affected users to take immediate action to mitigate the risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-3447

In this section, we will explore the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism of CVE-2023-3447.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Active Directory Integration / LDAP Integration plugin for WordPress stems from improper escaping of the username value, leading to LDAP Injection. This flaw enables unauthorized parties to extract sensitive information from the LDAP directory.

Affected Systems and Versions

The CVE-2023-3447 impacts all versions of the Active Directory Integration / LDAP Integration plugin for WordPress up to and including 4.1.5. Users utilizing these versions are vulnerable to LDAP Injection attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-3447 involves submitting a malicious LDAP query through the plugin's username field, taking advantage of the lack of proper input validation and sanitization to extract sensitive data from the LDAP directory.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from the risks posed by CVE-2023-3447, immediate steps should be taken alongside the implementation of long-term security practices and patching procedures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users of the Active Directory Integration / LDAP Integration plugin for WordPress should update to a patched version beyond 4.1.5 to mitigate the LDAP Injection vulnerability. Furthermore, restricting access to the plugin and monitoring LDAP queries can help prevent unauthorized data extraction.

Long-Term Security Practices

Incorporating secure coding practices, conducting regular security assessments, and ensuring timely updates for all installed plugins are essential long-term security measures that can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

It is critical for users to regularly check for security updates provided by the plugin developer and install patches promptly. Keeping the Active Directory Integration / LDAP Integration plugin up to date is crucial for maintaining a secure WordPress environment.